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He shrugs, and it's very cool, I think "Just killing ti ready to head out to a party"

"Cool," I say, hoping I sound cool and not lame

"I'm Dallas," he says, and then nods to his friends "That's David and Blake"

I turn slightly and grab Whitney's hand, pulling her forward to stand beside me "This is Whitneymy best friend"

Dallas nods to her and his buddies turn away fro out their phones Neither one of theet She's really pretty with auburn hair and soft brown eyes

But then Dallas et that when he leans in toward o to the party with us?"

"Where is it?" I ask casually, trying not to sound excited

But I'ht So and worthy of a man's notice

"It's over in Atherton," he says "Soe with him"

The way he says "rich dude" leads me to believe that Dallas is not rich himself, but that doesn't bother me He's very cute and he looks at me like he doesn't see a kid

"Sounds fun," I chirp at hiht, Whitney?"

"Um, I can't," Whitney says "My curfew's at ten PM"

Buht since it was my birthday

"Excuse me a minute," I say to Dallas, and pull Whitney five paces away I lean in toward her and whisper, "Coo Call your ht with me"

She shakes her head and looks at ot busted, I was grounded for a week And besideswe don't know these guys"

My eyes cut over to Dallas, who is looking down at his phone

So freakin' cute Way cuter than Bryce

"He's nice," I say "And it will be fun, and besidesit's ets to do what she wants"

"No, Sela," she says adao off with strangers It's dangerous"

Soes the truth of this stateuy is interested inadventurous and

a little vindictive, i in being able to show up at some function in the near future with hi jealous

"I'," I tell Whitney resolutely "And I really wish you'd come"

"Sela, don't," she implores me

Turning away froht I live in Belle Haven"

"Not a problerin, and it wouldn't be It's only a few miles away, and if worse came to worst, I could always cab it I had the cash that Moave me for my birthday celebration with Whitney and so far, we'd only bought an ice creaht

"Last chance," I say resolutely to Whitney with my head tilted to the side

"This is not a good idea," she warns me, but my decision is made

I her "I'll be fine"

She gives me a wan smile but it doesn't really project She's worried andthis, but I'm too filled with excitement to even care at this point I turn toward Dallas and I'iddy when he takes my hand in his

"Coeous," he says as we start to walk away "This will be a night to remember"

I totally knoill Grandiose ideas filldance I swear I won't strut too s open in disbelief I look overon her bottom lip orry, and I wave She doesn't return it