“Humor us,” she said. “Besides, that’s about the only thing to do after school around here. It’s not like we’re living in New York.”
“Or even Jersey,” Sarah said, and they both laughed at a joke only they got.
They eventually beat me down by tag-teaming me, and together we caught the bus into Ridley along with at least twenty other students.
The pizza parlor was cavernous, far larger than I would have thought possible for a one-horse town. That made sense, though, given the student population. Gourmet meals being off the table, that left cheap, fast food, and since there were no burger joints or chain restaurants, the pizza place was the nocturnal hub and gathering place.
The restaurant was a series of large connected dining areas. We ordered an extra-large vegetarian pizza and found a table in one of the far rooms. The tables were covered in cheap plastic red-and-white faux tablecloths, and service was limited to a speaker announcing order numbers and a few bus boys clearing paper plates and discarded plastic utensils.
“So how did first day go?” Serena asked when we were settled. “Anybody got anything to report?”
“Not as many babes as I’d hoped for, but it’s promising,” Sarah said.
“We scored in psych,” Kate announced. “Lacey and I got Robert D as GTA.”
“You lucky dogs,” Sarah said. “Why doesn’t that ever happen to me?”
The conversation was light and breezy, Sarah and Kate taking jabs at each other, as was their routine, Serena and I chiming in just enough to stay engaged. I liked Serena a lot after spending the weekend around everyone – she seemed to take school seriously, whereas Kate was honest about her motives, and Sarah was just out for a good time. Must be nice to be so smart you don’t even have to try. I was still a bit intimidated by Sarah. Who got to be naturally good at academic stuff and gorgeous as well? One thing she didn’t have, though, was a work ethic, and I had the feeling that as the semester wore on, my grades would pass hers.
When our number was called, I wended my way through the crowded scattering of tables, ticket in hand. I turned a corner and nearly ran headlong into a tall server carrying a crate of empty soda bottles.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“No problem,” he said, a smile warming his tan face. “It’s kind of nuts in here tonight.”
“I’ll say,” I replied, looking beyond him at the kitchen area. I was preparing to step around him when something caught my attention at the periphery of my vision. I tried to see around the server, but his shoulders were too broad and I was too short. Still, my heart rate increased when I saw the back of a head with unruly hair spiked in every direction, making for the front door. Hair the same color as Jared’s. “Excuse me,” I said, hoping the guy would get the hint.
“My name’s Alex,” he said instead of moving out of the way. “I saw you in class today. English. Small world, huh?”
I tried to hide my irritation. “Um, yeah. Sure is.” I raised my eyebrows and waved the ticket at him. “Well, our pizza’s ready. Don’t want it to get cold.”
“I can get it for you. What number, and where are you sitting?”
That hadn’t gone as planned. “You don’t have to…” I began, craning my neck to see the entrance.
“No problem,” he replied with a grin. “That’s what I’m here for.”
I could just make out the top of the door open and close, and my shoulders sagged. Now I was imagining things – what would a pop star be doing in the Ridley pizza parlor? And Jared’s hair style was hardly unique.
Alex hadn’t budged, and I saw there was no point in fighting his friendly overture. I held up the ticket and slipped it between two bottles. “We’re at the back of the room, over by the bathrooms.”
“Cool. Let me drop these off and I’ll bring your food right out. How many?”
“Four.”
I returned to the table and Serena shot a look at my empty hands. “You eat it on the way here?”
I sat down and told them about Alex, leaving out the rest. A minute later Alex arrived with the pizza and a fistful of napkins and set everything on the table with a flourish. He smiled at us and asked if we wanted anything else, and then went in search of other errands.
Sarah shook her head and eyed me. “I swear, girl, there must be something in the water in Pennsylvania.”
I groaned under my breath. “What is it now?”
“He was looking at you like you were his prom date.”
I glanced at her drink. “You slip some whiskey in that?”
“Seriously. What is it with you that all these hotties are tripping all over each other? Is Jared somehow not enough?” She paused. “You have to share, Lacey, or get an F for playing well with others.”
“You’re high.”
Sarah eyed the girls. “Am I right, or am I right?”
Kate’s face was unreadable. “What was the middle one again?”
We all laughed and dug into the pizza, which was as delicious as it smelled. By the time we were done, Alex had come by two more times to see if we needed anything. The girls teased me some more, but lost interest when I didn’t react any further.
“I feel like I ate a bowling ball,” Serena said, blowing air through pursed lips. “Let’s get out of Dodge. I have some stuff I need to do before bed.”
Sarah eyed us with disgust. “Am I living in a convent or something? Who wants to see where all the parties are tonight?”
“I don’t know, Sarah. I’m kind of beat, too,” Kate said.
“You already know my answer,” I said.
Sarah ultimately followed us out of the restaurant, and we strolled down the sidewalk, the fresh breeze carrying with it the smell of dough and cheese from the pizza parlor. I did my
