Andrea and the 5-Day Challenge Read Online Free

I care? Stephanie and Luke would make a cute couple with his bronzed California tan and her dark tones. Who was I to stand in the way of the greatest love match since Clark Kent and Lois Lane. I gripped the desk, bracing myself as if I were experiencing a plane crash, while trying to force a completely disinterested look on my face.
    Her smile lessened as she pushed her lips outward into a pout, trying to get him to notice and imagine what it would be like to kiss her, I’d bet.
    “I was wondering, Luke, if you’re planning to go to homecoming?”
    “Oh yeah, homecoming is this week.” His gaze drifted over to me for a split second, and then returned to Stephanie. “I’m not really sure, to be honest.”
    She rested her hands on his desk, going in for the kill. “Well, the homecoming Decorating Committee could sure use someone tall and strong like you on Friday.” Eek! Could she fawn over him more than that? What would she do next—purr?
    I’d had enough. Time to disappear. I stood, but Luke stealthily covered my hand, impeding my cowardly retreat. What was he doing? Didn’t he know that touching in public does not denote friendship or tutelageship? Whatever word best described our relationship. Relationship! We had no relationship.
    However, I forgot to question his actions any further when he looked at me.
    “What do you think, Andrea? Sounds like fun, right?”
    Fun? Was he out of his mind and oh, my gosh, why was he asking me?
    The bell rang at that moment, eclipsing whatever response I might have come up with spur of the moment.
    Students began filing inside followed by the re-entry of my wonderful Geometry teacher. I’d never been happier to see Mr. Carter and his mustache-adorned face.
    “Toodles.” Stephanie waved, and then stepped back to talk to one of her other friends. Had she really just said “toodles”? Why did she have to comprise every cliché attached to a cheerleader? (Alisha, who’d been a cheerleader for two years, seemed to be one of the exceptions to this phenomenon.)
    For once, I wished one of the long-legged starlets would engage me in a thoughtful discussion. Like why Nick Carraway is the point-of-view character in The Great Gatsby or if the medieval world really believed the earth to be flat before Columbus. I’d even settle for a discourse on who were the best current actors , since they all loved the latest movies.
    With Stephanie otherwise employed, Luke stood with his textbook. He slanted his head toward mine before moving to the front of the room. “Thanks again for the study help, Andrea. Hope you do great on the quiz.”
    “Yeah, you, too.” What else could I say, especially with those dark eyes sparkling like some kind of precious gem? The fluorescent lights were playing with my eyesight again.
    The second bell rang and Mr. Carter addressed the class while rubbing his hands together. “So, you all ready for that quiz?”
    I was ready for the loony bin, but bring it on. Bring it all on. I could take it.
     
    ~*~
     
    Amy and Angie were waiting for me when I emerged from class. They had mirror images of the same annoying smile on their faces. Was my life the only excitement they had going on in their pathetic existences? I had half a mind to just keep walking right by them. Like I could. They flanked me on each side as we moved among the herd of students in the hallway. We made it to Amy’s locker, and then the questions began to fly.
    “Where’s Luke?” Angie asked, folding hair behind her ear and revealing the many studs in her lobe.
    “How should I know? Why are you even…”
    “Come on, Andrea, spill. What happened before Geometry?” Amy interrupted.
    “Nothing happened.” I leaned back into the lockers beside Amy’s. “We went over a proof, and then class started.”
    “And after class?” Angie’s voice filled with unsavory suggestion.
    “Angie!” My forehead wrinkled with consternation—at least I hoped it did. “I thought you gave up on