“We started to.” Valerie chewed her nail. “But we hadn’t been on the sofa very long before he was all over me. I swear if I hadn’t been on my period, I so would’ve gone for it.”

Sarah’s eyes were as big as saucers again. “Did you tell him you were on your period?”

“No way!” Valerie gasped. “I just told him I didn’t feel comfortable being that I’d barely met him, which was stupid cause next thing you know I’m on my knees, gagging on his massiveness.”

Sarah covered her face, and laughed. “Spare me the visual, please!" She took her hand away from her face. "So, did he ask to see you again?”

“Well, he didn’t last night. But he asked for my number and called this morning saying he wanted to see me again.”

“You went out with him again already?”

Valerie nodded smiling. “Valerie, maybe he really is into you. You two really seemed to click yesterday.”

“We went right back to his friends place, Sarah. The only thing he wants to get into is this.” She pointed at her crotch. “And he will, as soon as the curse is gone.”

Sarah looked at her disappointed. Valerie didn’t seem disappointed at all. She crinkled her nose. “Is that my phone?”

She jumped off the bed and ran to her room. She was gone for a few minutes and Sarah walked to her room to say goodnight. When she got there Valerie was on her bed talking on the phone with a big smile on her face. “Alex,” she mouthed, smiling.

Sarah did the Valerie, and ran to listen in, leaning against Valerie’s ear.

“... so cancel those plans,” he said. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Alright, I guess.”

“You guess?”

Valerie laughed. “I'm kidding, Alex. Yes, that sounds good.”

There was a long silence on the other end then finally he sighed. “You’re real funny, Z.”

“You’re just too easy.”

“Yeah, well, you’re not,” he said. “I gotta go, I’m up at five tomorrow, but don’t forget.”

“I’ll try.”

“You know what-”

“You see!” She smiled. “Of course I won’t forget. Better?”

“Much better,” he said. “Good night.”

Sarah watched Valerie flip her phone shut. “You are so bad. He was really getting mad.”

“Nah,” Valerie said. “He knows I like playing with him. He just goes along with it, acting the part.”

“Why’d he call you Z?”

“For Zuniga,” Valerie said. “It’s a football thing I guess, he says he calls just about all his pals at school by their last names. But I’ve noticed he only does it when I really push his buttons.”

Sarah cocked an eyebrow “I don’t know Valerie. He saw you all weekend and he’s calling already for another date?” She got off the bed. “And what plans are you canceling?”

“Oh, when he asked if I was busy on Wednesday. I told him I had plans. I’m telling you, it’s probably just throwing him for a loop that he hasn’t gotten in my pants yet. As soon as he does, I can guarantee you he’s gone.”

“So, why give it up then?”

Valerie looked at her sympathetically as she got up in front of the mirrored closet door. “Silly, little, Sarah,” she said “You really think he’s gonna hang around forever, just to get some of this?”

Sarah frowned, but before she could say anything Valerie continued “Besides I told you. I’m not looking for a relationship. I’m perfectly happy with the chance to be with the Alex Moreno just a few times. This is all I’ve ever wanted.”

Sarah wasn’t so sure about that. She didn’t care what Valerie said, she knew what she heard. Alex sounded pissed. But if Valerie insisted, what could she say? Valerie did know Alex a lot better than she did.

The phone rang again and they both jumped, then exchanged glances. Valerie looked at the caller ID.

“It’s him again!” She sat down on the bed and Sarah assumed the position, right next to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Z, one question.”

“What?”

“What were your plans Wednesday night?”

Valerie turned and looked at Sarah wide eyed and covered her mouth. “Um, nothing really,” she said “I was just gonna go out with my girlfriends… Why?”

There was silence again on the other end. “Just wondering,” he said. “Alright, I’ll let you go to sleep now. See you Wednesday.”

Valerie smiled and said goodnight. She looked at Sarah who was giving her a knowing look. “Before you say anything.” She held her hand up. “I’ve already told you, guys are territorial, especially one’s with such big egos. That’s all it is. It means nothing.”

She looked so smug and sounded so sure, but Sarah felt uneasiness come over her. She would’ve never believed it, but she was beginning to worry about Valerie playing games with Alex.

CHAPTER 12

By Monday, everything was back to normal with Sarah and Angel. They’d never spend their morning or lunch breaks together. So, when Angel saw Dana by her locker just before lunch, he figured it was as good a time as any to take care of this once and for all.

Two friends were with her. Her eyes brightened when she saw him approach. She quickly dismissed her friends. "I'll talk to you guys later."