Alexis's Cupcake Cupid by Coco Simon Page A

so, I almost forgot why I came over here. Oh, yeah! A bunch of us are going to see Liam Carey’s new film when it opens this Thursday afternoon, on Teachers’ Improvement Day. It’s got everything: Epic chase scenes, lots of fighting, and I think there’s even a love story, so you girls will like it.” George cleared his throat and then said in a high falsetto voice, “I love you, MATT!” And then he deepened his voice to an exaggerated masculine tone and said, “And I love you , ALEXIS!”
    All the girls giggled, but after the tray drop and Olivia’s mean comment and Matt’s lack of a response to my valentine, it was all just too much for me to handle. I grabbed my books and rushed out before I started crying again in public. In the hall, I ducked into the girls’ bathroom to hide until my next class. It was almost like I needed to just cry and get the tears out. I’d been holdingit in for almost two days now. In the stall, I hung my book bag on the hook, grabbed a huge ball of tissues, and wept.
    About a minute and a half later, I heard the door open. I knew it would be one of my friends, but I wasn’t expecting Emma.
    â€œLex?” she said.
    I sniffed deeply. “Yes?” I croaked.
    â€œWant to come out?” she asked.
    â€œNo,” I said.
    â€œEver?” she asked.
    â€œNo!” I insisted. “Not ever.”
    There was a brief silence, and then Emma said, “Want me to take you to the nurse, and she can let you go home?”
    Leave school early without being deathly ill? It was unthinkable. I slid the lock and opened the door. I’d rather die than go home sick, especially if I wasn’t! Emma sure knew how to get me.
    I sighed heavily. “I am such a loser,” I said, leaning against the side of the stall.
    Emma laughed. “You are insane. You’re not a loser! Seriously? You’re the biggest winner of us all! You get the best grades, you’re involved in running a business and your business leaders extracurriculars, and you’re a great singer and dancer . . .”
    â€œBut I’m a terrible ice-skater. And no one loves me,” I said, moping.
    â€œAlexis Becker. You’ve got to come clean with me. I’m your oldest friend in the world. Is there something going on that I should know about?” Emma asked sternly.
    I hesitated.
    â€œIs this about Matt?” she asked gently.
    I finally broke down and told Emma all about the valentine cupcake I had given Matt and how I had never heard from him about it. Unsurprisingly, Emma was furious.
    â€œI know he isn’t the mushy type, but to not even say thank you . . . that’s just so rude and so wrong,” she said. “Just wait until I see him tonight!”
    â€œNoooo! Emma, please! That will only make me feel worse,” I cried. “Please, don’t say a word—promise me!” I begged. “That’s why I didn’t say anything to begin with!”
    Reluctantly, she agreed, but she huffed, “Okay, but I still think it’s rude. And honestly, it’s pretty out of character. I just can’t believe he wouldn’t even acknowledge it. Even if he only liked you as a friend. It’s just weird.”
    â€œDo you think I just totally scared him off?” I asked, wincing.
    Emma thought for a minute. “No. Definitely not. Boys like it when girls like them, you know. And it’s not like you’re some weird nerd. . . .”
    â€œThanks. Thanks a lot,” I said, and we giggled, which felt good.
    Emma corrected herself. “You’re a total babe, and he’d be lucky to have someone as great as you as his valentine!”
    Turning red again, I said something else that was really bothering me. “Do you think George or any of Matt’s friends in our grade will tell Matt about my embarrassing fall?”
    Emma thought for a second. “I don’t