Free Kiss Me If You Dare by Nicole Young

inches from his. “What’s your name again?”
    “Simon Scroll.”
    “Well, Simon,” she said, “you just transferred in, so I’ll cut you some slack. But if you cross the line, I’m going to have to teach you a thing or two. Comprende ?”
    “Sí, señorita.” He turned his back to us and stepped off the curb, mumbling something unintelligible under his breath.
    I watched him cross the street to his own project. “Gee. For some reason I thought this was a Christian college. With guys like him around, guess I don’t have to worry about the behavior police coming after me.”
    “News flash. We’re just beggars telling other beggars where to find food.”
    “Well, I guess that excuses your attitude.” I turned and started walking toward the waiting Koby and Celia.
    Portia grabbed my arm. “What do you mean by that?”
    I pulled away. “You’re so defensive all the time. And pretty bossy, I might add. But I guess beggars can act any way they want.”
    For a second she looked like she might cry. Then her expression hardened. “I don’t have time for all that niceynicey talk people do when they say one thing to your face and something else behind your back. I just tell you what’s on my mind right up front. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem.” She walked past me.
    “I don’t like it. And I don’t think anybody else likes it, either. That makes it your problem.” I caught up to her. She snarled over her shoulder and walked faster. “I’m doing the best I can. I’m not going to worry my little head about anybody’s feelings but my own.”
    “We can all see you’re hurt. Do you have to take it out on us?” I raced to keep up.
    “You don’t know the meaning of hurt until you’ve read my file. So back off.”
    Celia and Koby scooted aside as Portia barreled by like a steam engine without brakes.
    “Oh,” I shouted at her back, stooping to grab my bag as I flew past, “you have a monopoly on pain? Maybe you should read my file.”
    “Yeah,” she flung at me. “It starts with ‘Once upon a time’ and ends with ‘Happily ever after.’ Who can feel sorry for the Little Princess?”
    The air rushed out of me. She obviously didn’t know anything about my background. And I’d gladly keep it that way. “Hey, just because my uncle owns half of California doesn’t make me royalty. So back off.”
    Portia reached the bus stop and leaned against the metal signpost, panting.
    “Besides,” I gasped for air and took a stand next to her, “if all you’re looking for is sympathy, you’re doing a terrible job. I’d rather slug you than feel sorry for you.”
    “Good,” she said and flashed a smile, “then it’s working.” I leaned over and held my knees, drawing noisy breaths of air. “You are so messed up.”
    She laughed. “I know. That’s what you like about me. We’re so much alike.”
    I shook my head. “I’m not that messed up.”
    “Hey”—she grinned—“the only difference between us is I admit it. You’re still floating your boat down a river in Egypt.”
    “De Nile. I get it.” I let out a chuckle.
    Koby and Celia arrived, concern on their faces.
    “What’s going on with you two?” Koby asked.
    “We’re bonding.”
    Portia said the words so seriously, I burst out laughing. “Yeah. We’re so close, she’s starting to get under my skin.”
    The bus pulled up, the roaring diesel killing any comeback. While Celia and her chair were loaded, I took a seat next to Portia.
    “So that guy back there, Simon Scroll, I thought you knew him.”
    “He’s new to Del Gloria. He showed up in class the same day you did.”
    “I probably shouldn’t have been so suspicious, but I get a little possessive when it comes to my projects.”
    “I don’t blame you. Simon Scroll has to prove himself on his own merits. Being a student at a Christian college doesn’t mean squat.” She rolled her eyes. “And so far I’m not impressed.”
    I liked how Portia put it. We