Free Geek Charming by Robin Palmer

like that, everyone knows you don’t wear open-toed shoes after October first. Granted this is California, but still.”
    So much for the nice-to-everyone part.
    She snapped her fingers for me to move the camera back on her. “But getting back to what I was saying—see, it’s like there’s this magnifying glass on you all the time. So that’s why if you’re popular, you’re better off being friends with and dating other popular people. Sort of how actors date other actors. There’s just a shorthand there that makes it easier.”
    As she got up and walked over to Asher’s table, I picked up the camera and started to follow her, stopping when I realized the guys weren’t with me. “What are you guys doing? C’mon.”
    Ari looked terrified. ”Do we have to?
    I sighed and kept going.
    Dylan put her arms around Asher’s neck from behind as he studied a magazine. “That’s why Asher and I are such a perfect match. We’re kind of like the celebrity couple of Castle Heights, right, babe?”
    As he unwrapped her arms from his neck, Asher continued to study the magazine, which, when I zoomed in, I could see it was the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
    “ Asher ,” Dylan said, punching him on the shoulder.
    He looked up. “Hey, you know I don’t like you touching me in public.”
    After he turned back to the magazine, I could see the hurt that flashed across Dylan’s face, but by the time she had turned back to the camera, she was smiling. “You can cut that last part out,” she said. “We can do an episode on him later,” she said as she walked back to our table.
    “But if you’re only hanging out with people who are just like you,” I asked when she had sat back down, “then how are you supposed to broaden your perspective on life?”
    While she took a sip of her Evian and pondered what I thought was a very deep and thought-provoking question, I zoomed in for a close-up. “Well, that’s what vacations are for,” she finally replied. “Like when my dad takes me to Hawaii for Christmas break, or Aspen for winter break, I meet lots of different people from all over the world. Those trips are very enlightening.”
    Yeah, if you want to enlighten yourself about how other rich people live. I couldn’t believe how out of touch with common man she was. I bet she had never even been to my side of town. “Okay, let me ask you this, then: Was there ever a time when you weren’t popular? When you were just, you know, normal?”
    “Uh-oh,” I could hear Hannah whisper off to the side.
    Dylan hesitated. “Okay, I need you to cut for a second,” she said, putting her hand in front of the camera and knocking me in the nose in the process.
    “Ouch,” I said.
    “I think before we continue, you really need to look over those rules I gave you. Specifically Rules 41 to 45, which are all about creating something that’s fair and balanced.”
    “But why is that an unfair question?” I asked.
    “Because if you read the list, you’ll see that you’re to stay focused on the present . I mean, what, I’m supposed to hang out with un popular people, like you and your friends? I didn’t make the rules, Josh—I just follow them.” She started gathering up her books. “It’s from following the rules that I’ve gotten where I am and I’m certainly not going to let you guys paint me as some total bitch because you’re jealous of that.”
    “If the shoe fits . . . ” said Steven under his breath.
    “Excuse me?” Dylan demanded.
    “Nothing,” I said. “Just ignore him. Sometimes he gets minor Tourette’s syndrome.”
    “Well, I think you’ve gotten enough for today,” she announced as she started walking down The Ramp.
    I sighed as I patted my pocket to make sure my inhaler was still there. If she kept throwing fits like this, I’d end up having a seven-minute documentary to show. Now I understood why Dylan was so far up the Castle Heights food chain—no one else in their right mind would want to