“Yeah,” was all I could muster.

Claire emptied the contents of her orange lunch bag.

As usual, it was filled with junk. “There’s a buzz going around school.” She spoke in a hushed tone, as though it were a giant secret about to get away.

“Hmm?” I was daydreaming, scanning the cafeteria in hopes of spying sandy curls at one of the tables, but Garreth was nowhere to be found. Which I found disappointing. Then I reminded myself, what if I did see him and he was sitting with a beautiful, bubbly cheerleader?

“Well, aren’t you even interested?”

I sighed and stopped looking.

“Two words. Garreth Adams.”

“We’ve already met.” I squeezed the words out from under my breath.

Claire’s head shot up.

“We have mythology together.”

“Uh-huh?” Claire stared at me, prompting me to continue with a wave of her hands.

“What?”

I stared back. I knew what was coming. I was withholding valuable information and she knew it, but I liked playing her game. It was fun making her wait it out. She was practically bouncing out of her seat. It didn’t surprise me that the entire school was probably spreading the word about my side job as tour guide today. God only knows what Claire heard.

“From what I hear, he couldn’t take his eyes off you. You are so lucky!” Claire was practically bubbling over.

“See, I said you needed a boyfriend. Who knew I would become an intellectual and a clairvoyant all in the same day?”

I shoved the last bite of my peanut butter sandwich into my mouth and stared across the table at the monster I had created.

Claire was looking quite pleased with herself and it was almost cruel of me to open my mouth and spoil all her fun with this, but I just had to. I used the best diplomatic tone I could drum up.

“Okay, he’s nice, but don’t read into this like you always do. And don’t get any ideas about crystal balls and wearing funky, beaded scarves on your head or anything. He was just appreciative that I helped him out. No big deal. Besides, he’s the spitting image of a god, or at least a model, and I’m just…well…I’m me.” I finished the last of my Cheetos and chugged the rest of my bottled water. There, enough said.