Art Geeks and Prom Queens by Alyson Noël Page A

her, that she sees but my dad misses. And then, mercifully, we’re out the door and in Jas’s car.
    “Sorry about that,” I say. “My parents are so lame.”
    “Most parents are lame,” he says, starting the engine.
    “But your dad seems really cool.” I catch a glimpse of his profile and think how lucky I am to be going out with him.
    “He has his moments.”
    Then right as he’s pulling out of the driveway, he goes, “Listen. Mason was going to meet us there but there’s been a change of plans so we’re gonna pick her up, okay?”
    Mason?
    Mason is going on our date?
    Ohmygod! They really are boyfriend and girlfriend, and I am a total
idiot!
    But all I say is, “Okay.”

Ten
    So after picking up Mason, we head back toward the coast to Mirapois, which is the name of Jas’s dad’s restaurant in Laguna Beach. And I’m now sitting in the backseat since I figured the two lovebirds should be together, right?
    They have the stereo cranked up really loud and we’re all singing along to some White Stripes CD. But I’m the only one faking it. Partly because I don’t really know the words, and partly because what I really feel like doing is hurling myself out of this car, just to see if anyone notices.
     
    When we get to the restaurant there’s this tall guy with bleached blond hair and black framed glasses standing near the door, and when he sees Mason he comes over and hugs her.
    And then he kisses her.
    On the lips.
    And Jas just stands there.
    Huh?
    When they break apart Mason’s lipstick is all smeared, and there’s even some on her teeth, but she’s all smiling and happy and she goes, “Rio, this is my boyfriend, Zane.”
    And he goes, “Hey, you’re the girl from New York, right?”
    And I go, “Yeah.” I shake his hand and then I look at everyone and I try to get a handle on this latest turn of events.
    There are four of us.
    And Mason just called Zane her boyfriend.
    So does that mean I’m back to being Jas’s date?
    It turns out that Zane is two years older than us and he goes to Cal Arts, which is some art school in L.A. He and Mason have been dating for like a year, but she pretty much only sees him on weekends because of the distance.
    When we get to our table, Mason sits next to Zane so that leaves me next to Jas, and after we order everyone is all quiet, so I go, “You know, up until now, I totally thought you guys were a couple.” I point at Jas and Mason. “I guess because you’re together a lot with film club and the zine and stuff. I mean,
not
that you’re romantic or anything.” (I want to make that clear so Zane doesn’t think something and get all jealous.)
    Jas and Mason look at each other and bust out laughing, and Zane smiles, and looking back on it, it does seem pretty lame and even slightly paranoid.
    So we’re all eating and Zane, Mason, and Jas are talking about that movie
Eternal Sunshine of the
blah, blah, blah. But I’m just sitting there cutting and chewing, partly because I haven’t seen the movie, and partly because all of my attention is now centered on the fact that Jas’s shoe is touching mine and I wonder if he realizes it.
    And if he
does
, then what exactly does it
mean
? Is it like foreplay—like first we rub feet and then later …
    Okay, I know it sounds stupid since (as far as I know) the side of the foot is not exactly an erogenous zone, but it’s not like I can explain that to my thrashing heart and sweaty palms.
    “So what do you think?”
    Everyone’s looking at me.
    “What? Oh, I don’t know, I’ve never seen that movie,” I say, carefully placing my fork on my empty plate and trying to fake like I’ve been listening the whole time.
    “I was asking if you wanted dessert.” Jas gives me a strange look.
    “Oh. No. I’m good,” I say, immediately followed by nervous, retarded laughter.
Oh, god.
    So while Mason and Zane decide to share a bowl of assorted sorbets, Jas goes, “Come on. Let’s take a walk.”
    And as I get up from