Free Viral by Alex Van Tol Page A

into place. Snugged up tighter to me.
    â€œYou were wondering…?”
    And suddenly I just…chickened out. “Yeah, I was wondering…do you, uh, do you want…another beer?” I finished lamely. As soon as the words left my mouth, I was furious with myself.
    â€œNo,” I said, backpedaling. “I mean, never mind. Never mind the beer.” I sucked in another breath. “I actually meant to ask you if—”
    Right then, Aaron and Morgan crashed through the back door. Lindsay shifted, sitting up and edging over to the other end of the swing.
    Morgan had a shaggy beard strapped to his head. He danced over to us in tight yellow Speedos and huge sunglasses, singing “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
    Normally I would laugh—who wouldn’t? The guy’s an idiot. But Morgan’s screwing around was the last thing I needed right now.
    Aaron’s eyes lit up when he saw me. “Hey! Whassup, Mikey!!” he shouted. He raised his beer. “You too cool for the rest of us down at the fire pit?”
    Just then he noticed Lindsay bunched up at the other end of the swing. He looked from me to her, then back at me. Raised his eyebrows.
    I rolled my eyes: Duh! Aaron’s eyes widened in sudden understanding.
    He started to back away. “Du-u-ude,” he said. “It’s cool. We’re leaving now.” He punched Morgan on the arm and nodded toward us.
    Morgan opened his mouth to speak.
    â€œShut it,” said Aaron. “We’re leaving.” They turned to go.
    But it was too late. The door opened again and a group of girls giggled out onto the porch. More people followed.
    And my chance was lost.

Chapter Two
    Lindsay hopped down from the swing. Weaved her way through the group and went into the house. I waited, thinking she had just gone to get another beer.
    After about ten minutes, I wondered if she had left. Some people had been talking about going over to Angad’s place. Maybe she had gone along?
    I didn’t go after her. I was too pissed off with myself. Embarrassed too.
    I stayed in the semidarkness of the swing, avoiding everyone. Eventually, they drifted across the yard. Back to the fire pit.
    Except for Scarlett. She came back after everyone else left.
    Everyone at our school knows Scarlett. And every school has one. She’s the flirty knockout with a rep for being easy. People call her Skanky Scarlett. I’ve heard she’ll hook up with anyone. Not exactly my type.
    She sat down where Lindsay had been only minutes before. She pressed her skinny body against mine, chattering away. Stuff I couldn’t care less about. How her skirt shrank in the dryer. How she painted daisies on her nails last night. How she liked to watch my lacrosse games.
    I responded just enough to be polite. I was still stewing over fumbling the ball with Lindsay. How could I have choked so badly?
    Listening to Scarlett’s yapping kind of brought it home. I had to try again. I couldn’t let this day end without doing what I’d spent the last five months working up to.
    I decided to go after Lindsay. Wherever she was—here or at Angad’s place—I wanted to see this thing through.
    Lightning flashed. Still no rain, but I could hear the thunder now. The wind was picking up.
    â€œGod, it’s really cold, eh?” Scarlett was saying. “I’ll bet you can warm me up, Mike.” She shivered prettily and climbed up on my lap. Uh, no. I put my hands on her hips to shove her off. She grabbed my hemp necklace.
    â€œOh, this is so cool, Mike!” Scarlett squealed. “Can I wear it?” She pulled me closer. I could smell booze on her breath.
    Gross.
    â€œI don’t think so,” I said. I started to push her off.
    Then—still holding tight to my necklace—she kissed me.
    Right then, Lindsay banged through the back door. “Holy smokes, Mike, you should have seen the lightning from up on the