Shifting by Bethany Wiggins Page A

was keeping up with me. I focused straight ahead and pushed myself. So did Bridger. The finish line sped into view and we both crossed it and continued on, sprinting around the bend in the track before our legs were able to slow.
    I gasped the dry morning air and looked at Bridger.
    â€œYou beat me.” He panted.
    I shook my head. “It was a tie.”
    â€œNope, you were one pace ahead. You won. And I’m okay with that. You’re the first girl I don’t mind losing to,” he said with a gleam of satisfaction in his eye. “I’m man enough to admit when someone’s better than me at something, which rarely happens. So it looks like we’re going to prom.”
    â€œNo, thanks. You don’t have to feel obligated to take me,” I said, thinking of the full moon. No way I could go!
    â€œMaggie?” I looked at him. “I want to take you. I knew all along you’d win.”
    â€œWhatever! You are so full of crap!”
    â€œOkay, maybe I thought I stood a chance at beating you. But even if I won, I was still going to ask you. And you already agreed to go. So what time should I pick you up?”
    My mind came alive with options. Maybe I could go to the dance and be back before ten. Maybe I was wrong about the moon. Maybe I was freaking insane and nothing bad was going to happen on Saturday night.
    But maybe not.
    With the word “no” on the tip of my tongue I looked up into Bridger’s eyes. He put his fingers against my cheek. The newly risen sun gleamed off his dark hair and silhouetted him in light.
    â€œPlease?” he whispered. I melted beneath that touch.
    â€œFine. If you promise to get me home by ten.” Insane or not, I was crazy to go along with this. But when he touched me like that, I couldn’t think straight. I stepped away from him and dug my hands deep into my jeans pockets. The tardy bell rang and I turned toward the bleachers.
    â€œThere’s one more thing,” Bridger said, walking beside me. “I was wondering if we could be friends. You know, say hi to each other in the hall, you could actually smile at me during track, sit by me at lunch …” His eyes got a wicked gleam. “Unless you’re still worried about your reputation.”
    I frowned and slung my backpack over my shoulder. “Whatever,” I said. But inside I was smiling. “Except I sit with Yana at lunch. So you’re on your own there.”
    â€œWhat’s up with you and Bridger O’Connell?” Yana asked.
    We sat side by side, our backs against the brick wall by the girls’ bathroom. She took a bite of pizza.
    â€œWe’re friends, I guess.” I washed down my PBJ with a swig of milk.
    â€œFriends? I overheard some girls talking in the bathroom. They said he’s taking you to prom?”
    I glanced at the prom flyer on the wall. “Yeah. He’s taking me to prom.” Saying the words seemed surreal. Even though I was only going with him because I won a race, a smile jumped to my face. I looked at Yana and it fell off. “What? Is he a juvenile delinquent or something?”
    â€œJuvenile delinquent? Aside from streaking last year’s graduation ceremony totally nude, not that I know of. But he’s a jerk. He’s got some rich girlfriend from France that he’s practically engaged to. Well, there’s a problem. France is on another continent. So when Bridger’s hormones rage, he finds someone local to use as a temporary replacement. And then he tosses her aside.”
    I sagged against the wall. Bricks dug into my shoulder blades through my T-shirt. “Are you serious?”
    Yana nodded. “Danni was his last victim. And just a heads-up, but he was originally going to take her to prom. So watch out. That girl’s got claws.”
    â€œWhat happened with him and Danni?”
    â€œShe’s had a crush on him since junior high, even joined the track team to get