27

The plan is actually really simple.

"I think it's time for me to meet your friends," I say, one day during our lunch together.

"Isn't it a little soon?" Tom asks me. "I mean, I don't want to be rude, but… we have been dating for barely two weeks."

"I know, but I'll be seeing your friends for probably the rest of the year…" I explain, but then I realize what I'm saying. "Uh.., I mean…"

"It's going on well, isn't it?" Tom asks suddenly. "Between us, I mean."

I smile brightly. "Yeah, it is,"

He smiles back, then nods his head. "Okay, I'll introduce you to my friends. But maybe it's better if you meet them tomorrow. I want to warn then not to tell racists or offensive jokes. I want them to be on their best behavior."

I laugh. "Yeah, okay."

Tom raises his glass. "To a new step into our relationship,"

"Cheers," I say, and we clink our glasses together.

"I'm meeting them tomorrow," I say through the phone. "I should be able to quickly figure out who Tom's best friend is and then… I don't know. It would be better if I talked to him directly, but if we can't we'll exchange phone numbers."

"Sounds good," Karen replies. "But try to be subtle, otherwise Tom may think you're hitting on his best friend."

"I would never do that," I say back. "But I get your point."

I hear Karen sigh. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean, what if we find something that would ruin your relationship?"

I haven't thought of that, honestly. The worst thing I can think of is that he sometimes gets drunk at parties. That is something I can overlook – even thought I don't drink – but what if it is something really bad?

But, even if it is, I should know. If I'm in a relationship, I should know who I'm falling in love with, right? Every little detail, every little secret. If he keeps something from me, then maybe it's better if we just break up.

"I'm sure I want to know," I finally say. "I should know even if it were a bad thing. Especially, if it were a bad thing."

"True," Karen says. "Okay, I have to go. See you tomorrow."

"Bye,"

I hang up the phone and slump on my bed. I called Karen right after I got off the bus. Karen had an errand to run, so she didn't get on the bus with me.

I tell myself to forget about Tom for a second, but of course, that's all I can think about.

What if he smokes? What if he's in a gang? Maybe he's a drug addict or something. What if he has a long lost dead sister? Oh! Oh! Maybe he's an alien!

Most of them don't make any sense, but my brain is stupid.

Fortunately, my mother arrives and gives me some chores to do. Simple ones like tidying my room or setting the table for dinner. She really seems like a different person: she smiles a lot, she's nice to me, and she hasn't screamed since our talk. Granted, our talk was barely two days ago, but still. It's progress.

I hear a ping! from my phone, so I pick it up again and look at the screen. Tom had texted me, so I unlock my phone and read the message.

Hey, Nerd

I warned my friends, so we're good 2 go

Should U meet them after school or at lunch?

I text him back.

It's the same for me, but maybe it's better at lunch because Ur friends may have something 2 do in the afternoon.

I doubt it, he texts, But okay.

Bye Tommy.

Bye Nerd.

I'm nervous. Who knew meeting your boyfriend's friends could be so hard? I decided to wear some nice clothes: a white crop top that showed my belly and a pair of short jeans. I tied up my hair in a ponytail and wore some colorful earrings. Finally, I picked out a pair of open beige sandals.

As soon as the bell rings – signaling that it's time for lunch – I pack up my things and start breathing quickly. I really want to make a good impression on Tom's friends and, as I've probably mentioned, I'm not really good with people.

Karen accompanies me for a little while, just until Tom appears. We then walk to the cafeteria, where I immediately spot his friends. They're not really hard to find; actually, they're the easiest. You just have to look for the table full of exclusively hot guys.

"Hey, guys. This is Emma, my girlfriend." Tom announces.

"Hi," I give a small wave. There are four guys: one blond with blue eyes, one with black hair and blue eyes, one with brown hair and green eyes, and one ginger guy with green eyes. They're all really handsome, and I can't help but stare.

Only the ginger guy and the blond guy greet me, the others look at me in silence, but they're all smiling.

"This is Patrick," Tom pointed to the guy with black hair. "That's Brian," the blond raises his hand. "Rick," Tom nods towards the brown-haired guy. "And Harry."

"Welcome to our table!" Harry suddenly exclaims. His red hair seriously looks like fire. "Emma… what's your last name?"

"Johnson." I answer, smiling. Harry seems like a good guy, and I have a feeling we'll be good friends.

"We already have food, if you guys don't mind," Patrick says. "We were hungry."

"You could have waited a little longer," Tom mutters to Patrick.

"No, please. Eat up, don't worry about it." I say.

"I like her." Brian comments before stuffing his mouth with a sandwich.

"Okay, we'll go get some food," Tom says.

He places a hand on my back and guides me away from the table. As we head towards the counter with all the food, Tom whispers, "So, what do you think?"

"How should I know? I only know their names." I say. "But they seem really nice."

"Whew," Tom says. "I was nervous."

"You were nervous? What about me? I'm the one that has to make a good impression!" I joke.

"Ha-ha. Oh, look. That sandwich looks delicious."

After getting our food we went back to the table. Brian is already done eating, but the others are still munching. I sit down between Tom and Patrick.

"So, Emma," Rick starts. "Tell us about yourself."

I glance at Tom for reassurance, then speak, "Well, I'm seventeen years old and I've moved here at the beginning of the year. I have no sibling or pets, although I would very much like a dog. I like to read, a lot, and I also enjoy writing."

All of them nod, but I catch Patrick giving Rick a suspicious smirk. I decide to ignore it for now.

"You're new aren't you?" Harry asks, and a chuckle escapes from Patrick.

"Uh…yeah. I am, actually."

"Guys…" Tom warns, and I realize something. Tom really has a secret. His friends know about it, and it has something to do with me. I don't want to ruin our lunch, so I keep acting clueless. Other than that discovery, I also found out that Patrick is Tom's best friend, so after lunch, I approach him as Tom goes to the bathroom.

"Hi, Patrick, I was wondering if I could ask you a question." I say to him.

"Sure, ask away." he answers.

"Does Tom have a… secret?" I ask. "I just have this feeling…"

But Patrick isn't listening to me. His eyes are big, and he's staring at me, almost afraid.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing!" Patrick answers a little too quickly. "No, no, no. Tom has no secret. Nope."

I can obviously tell that he's lying, but I choose to fake.

"Okay, great. Could I have your number? You know, just in case something happens." I ask nervously.

His shock turns into a sexy smirk. "Of course you can have my number."

I realize that Patrick thinks I'm hitting on him. At first I'm shocked, but maybe I an use it to my advantage…

"Thank you," I say, and I flash him my best smile. He smiles back before taking my cell phone and typing in his number.

"Call whenever you want," he says. I smile again. Tom finally comes out of the bathroom just as Patrick leaves.

"Where's Patrick? Tom asks.

"He already left," I say simply.

"Okay. Are you ready to go?" Tom asks. "What do you have next… Pre-Calculus?"

"Did you memorize my timetable?" I ask suspiciously.

"Maybe," Tom answers.

I smile. "That's adorable."

"No, you are."