The Truth About Faking

say. And that’s the truth.
    “Oh. Well, if that’s what it is,” she smiles. “There’s just no explaining attraction.”
    “Yep. Sometimes it just crashes right into you.”
     
    The rest of the day is devoted to party-prep and Operation Get Jason Back. I’m wearing the dress I had on when he asked me to the luau. He always liked that one. And the two little braids just at the top. Again, very Vogue . Everything’s perfect for when I see him tonight. My heart actually rises at the thought. I’ll tell him how I feel, and then we’ll sneak away and do some make-up kissing. I smile as butterflies fill my stomach. Hopefully a lot of make-up kissing—I mean, we’ve been apart almost a week!
    I tell Mom I’m heading to David’s for a little while, and she doesn’t question me. She’s known David’s parents since forever, but I’m pretty sure they don’t talk much. Of course, I leave out the part that they’re out of town and his older brother sneaked a keg for the party. I feel bad about that since we’ve just gotten back on track, and I don’t normally go to keggers. For one, Pete would be so disappointed if he had to arrest me, and for two, I’d be grounded for life. But this is an extremely special case, and once I find Jason and straighten things out with him, we’ll ditch the party and run to the creek.
    I love that thought.
     
    I decide to walk because it’s such a great night, warm and a little breezy. David’s place is in the older part of our neighborhood, but it’s one of the few larger homes in that area. Trent’s getting there just as I’m walking up, extremely well-dressed as always. It’s funny because now that I know his secret, he acts like we’re the best of friends. You’d think we grew up together, he’s so relaxed and chatty.
    Everyone’s in full party-mode when we walk through the door. David has rainbow disco lights shining everywhere and music is blasting. I look around trying to spot Jason, and I notice Trent looking around as well.
    I lean over and shout in his ear. “So when you get to a party, you’re just like me?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You’re checking out all the guys, too?”
    Trent looks at me strangely for a second. Then he laughs and throws an arm around my neck. He pulls me close and kisses the top of my head in such a way that a few people hoot at us. Then he lets me go and smiles, and it’s the first time I’ve seen him look genuinely happy.
    “I’ll see you in a minute.” He shouts, and I watch him disappear through the bodies.
    I push through the crowd in the opposite direction. Jason has to be around here somewhere. I see Shelly and Aaron dancing with their foreheads pressed together. Shelly glances at me, and I give her a little wave. I keep walking and looking around. Finally I see him leaning against the low wall beside the keg. He looks up and our eyes met, and for a moment, I can’t breathe. I want to run up to him and tell him how awful everything is without him, tell him he never has to worry about me getting mixed up with Trent again and that we should go to the creek or at least run outside and start making out right away.
    Instead I stroll over acting casual. He looks so great wearing jeans and a maroon t-shirt, his brown hair’s a little shaggy around his face. It’s funny how he looks amazing to me in anything now.
    “Hey,” I smile. My heart is that little hummingbird again.
    “Hey.” He looks away, and my smile fades. He’s still mad at me, and I watch as he pours himself another drink.
    “Beer?” he offers.
    “No, thanks.”
    “Right. You don’t drink, curse. You make all the right choices.”
    I press my lips together. I let that go because he’s still mad, and I know he doesn’t mean it. “I was looking for you. I hoped we could talk.”
    “Another talk?” He frowns and shakes his head. “You’re going to have to find a new talk-buddy, H.D.”
    “No. Jason, it’s more than that.” I reach forward and touch his arm, lowering my voice. “Let’s get out of here.”
    He shakes his head and pulls his arm away. I watch him lift the cup to his lips, and I start to feel very frustrated. This is not going how I’d planned it.
    “Why not?” I ask. “What’s going on?”
    “Just got a lot on my mind tonight.” He looks down and leans back against the wall. I step forward and slide my hand into his, lacing our fingers. It feels so nice.
    “What’s on your mind?” I ask gently. “Your