Scarred by J. S. Cooper Page B

with her long, brown hair.
    “Of course he would, ” I smiled at her, helpfully. “He’d be lucky to have a girlfriend like you, especially after dating that skank Briget.”
    “You think so?” She smiled at me , shyly.
    “I know so.” I rolled my eyes. “Luke may look like a hottie now, but he’s still a nerd inside,” I laughed. Luke had had a major transformation when we graduated from High School. He had joined a gym, and had gained weight, so that his lanky frame was now more athletic. He had cut his previously long stringy hair and he had gotten rid of his thick owl-glasses. His transformation had shocked Anna and I, but it was the girls outside of our circle who really seemed to appreciate the changes in Luke. He had met a girl at community college, called Briget, and had dated her for about two years. I couldn’t stand her and she didn’t like me. I hadn’t been sad when they had broken up.
    “Does it make you sad to know that Luke lost his virginity to her?” Anna questioned me softly and I burst out laughing.
    “Hell no. I’m just glad that it finally happened.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. A twenty-two year old male virgin is not cute.”
    “But we’re still virgins.”
    I sighed as we pulled into my driveway and turned to her. “But we’re girls and we’re both saving it for someone special.”
    “Do you think they will ever come along?”
    “I think they already have,” I grinned.
    “Really?”
    “Yup. Luke and Bryce.” I wiggled my eyebrows. “I think they will make the perfect lovers for both of us.
    “We wish, ” Anna giggled.
    “ They wish.” I danced as we got out of the car. “At least I hope so.”
    “You hope what?” Luke and Bongo came running out of his house and into my yard.
    “Nothing, nosey.” I punched him on the arm.
    “Why hello to you , too.” He grinned at me and rubbed his arm. “Hey, Anna.”
    “Hey , Luke.” She grinned at him and flung her hair over her shoulder.
    “So Lexi roped you into going to this party as well?”
    “It should be fun.”
    “For whom?” He threw a ball for Bongo to catch. “I feel like we are in a time warp and going back to high school.”
    “We were never invited to the p arty of the year in high school,” I reminded him.
    “And I don’t know if I want to be invited now.”
    “At least we’ll all be there.” Anna walked up to him and rubbed his shoulder and he looked down at her and smiled.
    “That’s the only positive,” h e grinned. “I suppose you and I will have to keep each other company, while Lexi goes after Bryce.”
    “That won’t be a problem, ” Anna grinned and I could see the happiness reflected in the sparkle of her eyes.
    “Can we please go camping this weekend as well, to make up for the party?”
    “When?” I frowned.
    “Sat and Sun?” Luke walked over to me and took a piece of a dead leaf out of my hair and stared into my eyes. “The party is Friday, right?”
    “Yes, ” I sighed. “I suppose so.”
    “Good.” He pulled something else out of my hair. “Where have you been and why do you have so many dead leaves in your hair?”
    “No idea.” I stared at his tee shirt for a second and laughed. “Pinky and the Brain? Aren’t you too old to be wearing a tee-shirt with cartoon characters?”
    “You’re never too old,” h e laughed. “Never.”
    “Are you guys coming?” Anna frowned at us as she walked to my front door.
    “Yes, sorry.” I pulled away from Luke, feeling self-conscious.
    “Your mom’s home, ” Luke whispered to me and I groaned.
    “Great, ” I sighed. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing my mom. “Don’t mention the party in front of my mom, okay?”
    “Sure.” Luke looked at me in surprise as we walked through the front door. “Is there a reason why?”
    “Yes.” I shook my head. “But I can’t talk about it.”
    “Okay. ”
    “ Lexi, there you are. I haven’t seen you in ages.”
    “Hi , Mom.” I tried not to roll my eyes as I walked