“I am,” Kira said, not at all concerned. “I’m co-captain.” She straightened her back with pride. She’d been excited to get that title. Leona had threatened to quit, but we’d resolved it. Smitten Kittens didn’t hold animosity toward each other.
“Huh,” Chloe said, then looked over at me. “You the captain?”
I didn’t like her voice. It was low and gravelly, not cute and small like she looked. It made me think she was not at all the way she presented herself. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you will. Leona’s theory might have been spot-on.
“I am.”
“And I’m the captain of the basketball team,” Aiden spoke up. I turned to him. He was smiling at her. She smiled back. My stomach felt slightly ill.
Chloe’s stare came back to me. I felt pale and not at all cute. She started talking again. “Well, I was surprised when Christian said he wanted to eat lunch with a cheerleader, but I guess I can see why. You’re prettier than the ones at our old school.”
I heard Christian shift next to me. I didn’t think his sister was supposed to disclose their private conversation out loud. My pastiness began to grow pink, and my boyfriend didn’t make a sound. Biting at the inside of my cheek, I held Chloe’s stare.
She brushed her hair behind her ears, looking bored. “Besides, he usually hangs out with smart chicks—like class presidents.”
“Chloe!” Christian said through clenched teeth.
“Well, Tessa is the junior class president,” Kira announced proudly and pointed at me.
“Really?” Chloe widened her dark eyes, looking sincerely impressed.
My stomach became further ill, and I didn’t know why. I had made sure to eat a balanced breakfast! Still, Chloe was bothering me. I wanted her to go away, but I would never say that. It would be rude.
“My Tessa is smart at everything,” Aiden said, his voice dripping with admiration. I felt my fist unclench.
“Wow.” Chloe held up her hands in apology. “That’s really cool. I guess Christian hasn’t gone as bat shit as I thought.”
“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” her brother asked her. I looked next to me to see that his nostrils were flaring as he clenched his jaw.
“No, Christian. I don’t.”
They stared each other down, neither flinching away. No one seemed to notice but me. The rest of the squad came over to our table, and when Leona returned, she gave Aiden her corn dog. She would never, and I repeat never, eat anything served on a stick. My boyfriend looked ecstatic and munched on it like he was a five-year-old at a county fair.
When Aiden leaned over to whisper in my ear, I had already begun contemplating if I wanted to spend time with the school nurse. I was not fond of the way her floral perfume smelled. I’d rather just sign out and leave, but I wanted a second opinion about my gut. It was highly unusual for me to feel this unwell.
“You okay?” my boyfriend asked, kissing my cheek. I didn’t look at him.
“I don’t feel very good right now.”
His hand immediately went to the small of my back. He brought his fingers to my chin and turned me toward him, looking me over with concern. His green eyes were so sweet. I didn’t know what was going on with me.
“Let’s blow off the rest of the day. I’ll take you home.” He smiled softly.
It wasn’t a terrible idea. I only had one more class and then back-to-back study halls. Aiden was fairly caught up in chemistry. I blinked a few times, and his face darkened more.
“Come on,” he whispered, pulling me up.
My head was beginning to ache. I felt dizzy, so I held on to Aiden’s arm as I looked at my table. The maroon and gray colors of all the cheer uniforms blended together in a school spirit haze. I got a better grip on Aiden and steadied myself.
“We’re going to take off,” he said to them. “Tess isn’t feeling well.”
“You okay?” Christian asked, clearly disappointed at my abrupt departure.
I just nodded.
“It was nice meeting you,” Chloe said loudly to Aiden.
“Uh, yeah … you too.” I could tell by his pause that he forgot her name. It made me feel a little better.
After a second, Chloe looked at me and lifted her hand in a sarcastic wave. “Feel better, prez.”
“Wench,” Leona fake-coughed.
If I weren’t about to throw up, I might have scolded Leona for her language, but at the moment, I was just happy she noticed. Smitten Kitten code was one thing, but out-and-out rudeness by the new girl was another. Christian saw my unease. He mouthed the words “I’m sorry” before Aiden pulled me away.
I lowered my glance and felt a strong arm wrap around me as I hugged him. He moved his cold palm to feel my forehead, then widened his eyes.
“God, Tess. You’re burning up.”
I stared at him, feeling faint. Something was wrong around here. My Kitten senses were meowing. And I needed to figure out why.
I had a hundred-and-two-degree fever. Really? I hadn’t had a fever in years. This would be silly if it weren’t so uncomfortable. I shifted on my living room couch, digging my toes into the chenille cushions.
“Are you going to throw up again?” Aiden asked, moving over. His upper lip was curled in disgust, although I knew he was trying to look supportive.
“No. I think I’m done.”
“Thank God,” he said under his breath.
“Don’t tease me. I’m sick.”
“I’m sorry. You want me to rub your feet?” There was a devilish gleam in his eye as he looked over my body.
“Stop!” But I laughed. Luckily, the wood-beamed ceiling had stopped spinning after I’d thrown up. Small favors.
“What?” He leaned over and picked up my feet, setting them in his lap.
“Aiden,” I whined, leaning my head back into the couch arm. “I can’t fool around. I’m sick.”
He rubbed at my heel, pressing firmly in just the right places. “It’s just that your skin is burning hot. It’s kind of turning me on.”
I giggled but then winced. My head was effing killing me.
“I’m sorry,” he said, leaning over to give my toes a quick kiss before moving them off of him. He stood up and stretched his arms above his head, giving me a peek at his stomach. I sighed.
Aiden smiled and then came over to feel my head. “My poor baby,” he murmured, bending down to kiss it tenderly. “Do you want anything before I go to practice?”