Making Out by Megan Stine Page A

thought they were being nice, doing her a favor. But she really didn’t want this kind of help.
    â€œTony? He’s definitely available,” Lisa Marie said.
    â€œOh, right. If you call moping around for a year available,” Heather said. “He’s been quote unquote ‘available’ ever since Jenny Burkowski broke his heart last year.”
    Heather didn’t need to elaborate. Everyone knew the story. Tony and Jenny had been a couple for a full eight months until she dumped him the week before the prom. (Apparently someone forgot to tell her about Rule #1.) Clearly, he was still desperate to get back with her, since he hadn’t hooked up with anyone else.
    So now they wanted Heather to go after him, huh? She didn’t know whether to be flattered or annoyed. What made her friends think she could score with Tony, anyway? To say nothing—absolutely nothing—about the fact that she didn’t want to.
    â€œI asked around,” Marianna said, reading Heather’s mind. “He’s going to the prom with a group of guys. So, like I said, he’s available.”
    What could she say? They had her cornered.
    â€œUnless you have someone else in mind?” Lisa Marie asked.
    Well, as a matter of fact, she did. But she wasn’t about to cough up the truth.
    â€œNo,” she said.
    No one to speak of, anyway.

Chapter 8
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    â€œDrive slow. I’m still pulling up my tights, and they’re giving me a wedgie,” Marianna said, scooting down low in the front seat of Heather’s Saturn.
    â€œWell, hurry up. There’s Luke,” Heather said, pulling into the parking lot at the Retro Metro where Marianna was meeting Luke for their matinee date.
    Marianna peered out the front window and saw him leaning against his car, a bright blue ten-year-old Volvo sedan. You could always tell what kind of parents someone had from the cars they bought their kids, Marianna thought.
    Marianna, of course, had no car. Case closed.
    â€œCan’t you circle or something?” she begged, trying desperately to adjust her panties without being seen.
    â€œHe’s already spotted us,” Heather said. “Just hurry.”
    Quickly Marianna made the necessary adjustments and checked the visor mirror one more time. When Heather had picked her up half an hour ago—using the cover story that they were studying together that afternoon—Marianna had been wearing old jeans and a Washington U T-shirt. But now she had changed in the car into a cute, flirty skirt and a chocolaty brown cropped top that matched her eyes. Her hair was flowing all over the place, but she had to admit it looked pretty good that way.
    â€œThanks for driving me,” Marianna said before hopping out of the car. “You are the best.”
    â€œHave fun,” Heather called. “Call me if you want a ride home.”
    Luke was standing across the parking lot, leaning against the car, arms crossed on his chest. He didn’t move to come meet her. He just smiled at her the whole time she walked toward him.
    â€œYou look amazing,” he said when she was close enough to see the warmth in his eyes. “I love watching you walk. I never get to see you from this side.”
    Marianna shook her head slightly. She didn’t get it. “Hmm?”
    â€œYou’re always running, either beside me or ahead of me,” Luke said. “I spend a lot of time eating your dust, you know.”
    She laughed. “Well, pick up your feet, Perchik!” She imitated Coach Robinson’s voice.
    â€œNot that I mind the rear view,” Luke added with a smile.
    He took her hand and led her toward the movie theater. He’d already bought the tickets so they wouldn’t have to wait on line. Marianna wanted to act cool, but she couldn’t stop grinning. He was being so sweet. She was already having more fun than she’d ever had in her life—and the