As for Shannon, she won’t like Jasmine. Outside of our little group, Shannon doesn’t really like anybody. Some days I’m not even sure she likes me. But Jasmine’s hot and rich enough to ping Shannon’s “importance” radar, so she’ll at least pretend to be friendly and welcoming until she figures out whether Jasmine’s a threat to her popularity, or college prospects, or both. Basically, whatever dirt Kiki doesn’t get, Shannon will. I probably need to figure out how to keep them apart until graduation day.

Gia will spend the entire night trying to decide if Jasmine’s prettier than her. She is, but Gia will pretend not to come to this conclusion, while coming to this exact conclusion. I love that she always tries to wish her truths into existence. It isn’t that she’s lying; it’s that she truly believes that if you will it, it is no dream. Her ex-boyfriend taught her that one, though I’m sure she thinks he made it up and doesn’t realize it’s a famous quote he must’ve stolen from an old yearbook. Anyway, it’s become her strategy for life. Granted, she made cheer captain, has a cute boyfriend who’s hopelessly devoted to her, and obviously has the most fabulous friends at Stratford, so maybe she’s on to something.

I’d never tell her this, but I was inspired enough by her success to try it with Chase, spending nights willing him to offer me a ride home or ask me to dance at a party. As I think about him flirting with me this morning, I wonder if it’s finally paying off, but on delay. (Oh, the timing.)

He’ll be at the party; the football players always go, regardless of their opener results. Whether I’m there or not, he and Jasmine will be in the same room, like worlds colliding. I wonder if he’ll think she’s pretty. (How can he not?) I wonder if she’ll think he’s hot. (How can she not?) Did I mention him to her? I can’t seem to recall any conversations about him, but there’s no way I went the entire summer without any. Then again, he was oddly unimportant when I was around her. But he’s definitely not unimportant now.

The problem is, neither is she.

Ugh, what a mess.

There’s a loud coughing sound at the front of the room and I see Mr. Howard trying to get my attention. Frankly, it’s perfect timing, so I slide my phone back in my bag without complaint and focus on the word “calculus” glaring at me in red from the whiteboard.