He was starting to seriously creep me out.

Melinda eyed me. "He's bothering you, isn't he?"

"Forget it."

But she didn't forget it. She stood up instead, and everyone along the cafeteria table stopped eating and talking long enough to turn and look at her.

"Hey, loser!" she shouted in the guy's general direction. "Why don't you take a picture of her? It'll last longer."

I felt my cheeks heat up. "Melinda-" I pulled at her arm, then glanced over to see the guy shove his hands in the pockets of his jeans and walk out of the cafeteria.

She smiled. "See? You just have to be more confrontational."

"If you say so." I glanced back at the entrance and this time my breath caught in my chest because at that very moment, Chris Sanders walked in.

Picture: hot, gorgeous, fabulous, wonderful, and popular. Dark blond hair, blue gray eyes like the ocean on a stormy day, broad shoulders, and a killer smile. A whole year older than me. Total perfection.

That was Chris.

He was my major crush since I'd started at Erin Heights, and since he was also a member of the Royal Party, I'd had the chance to talk to him a few times.

Every time I'd tried very hard to hold back the drool.

"Here he comes." Melinda grabbed my hand. "Just try to stay calm."

My eyes widened and I turned to look at her. "He's not the one you were talking about, is he?"

She gave that noncommittal shrug. "Maybe."

"And did you have anything to do with this?"

"I might have helped a little bit." She grinned. "I figure you've been here two months. It's about time for you to start dating somebody worthy of your new social status. Besides, it's only two days till the dance and you still haven't accepted anyone else's invitation."

No, I hadn't. A couple of guys had asked me, but I wasn't interested in any of them. I'd planned on skipping the dance altogether.