Since Dawson already thinks I look like a naughty librarian, I decide to go with Jake’s suggestion of the private study rooms in the library.
I walk over to Riley and Dallas and give them some candy. “What do you think is better in reference to sexual stuff: getting completely surprised with it, or being surprised, but knowing a surprise is coming?”
“As long as you end up coming, what difference does it make?” Dallas quips.
“I’m serious.”
“Tell us your evil plan, mistress,” Riley says. “Hey, has anyone told you you kinda look like a hot librarian today?”
“What is it with you Johnson boys and librarians? All I know is I’m never putting my hair in a bun again! So? Answer my question. I’m running out of time.”
“I’d like to know the surprise is coming,” Dallas says.
“And I’d like to be completely surprised,” Riley says.
I know that Dawson likes to be surprised, but I also know he likes the anticipation just as much, so I walk over and whisper in his ear. “We do need to talk about your fines. You’ve been a very irresponsible boy. Meet me in the library at six.”
Then I keep working my way around the lunch room.
After lunch, Dawson is waiting for me outside. He looks me up and down and says, “You’ll totally get my vote. You look sexy, Keatie. Why six? That’s usually when we’re eating dinner.”
“Exactly, and I’m hoping the library is empty.”
“Oh, really,” he grins sexily. “Why’s that?”
“I already told you. You’ve been bad. So when you come to the library, you better be ready to pay your fines or offer me something in return.”
He grabs me around the waist and kisses me. “I’m so not going to be able to concentrate in class.”
Your lips are my what?
French
I sit down in French and tell Aiden, “I have twenty-one minutes of detention today after school because of you. Which means I will miss twenty-one minutes of dance, and your sister will yell at me.”
“It was worth it.” His eyes glitter at me.
“Which part?”
“Being late.”
“How so? You didn’t get in trouble.”
“No, but I learned some French on my own last night.” Dazzling smile.
Look away. Just look away from the light.
“Oh really? Let’s hear it.”
“Vos lèvres sont mon béatitude.”
“I don’t know what béatitude means.”
“Really, Miss I’m So Fluent in French?”
“I’ll figure it out.”
He smiles half a smile. “Looking forward to knowing how you feel about it. I also got on the committee.”
“Oh, wow, that was fast.”
“Well, if it means I get to spend time with you without your boyfriend around, it can’t be all bad. I don’t suppose you missed the kiss and he died?”
“No such luck.”
I repeat what he said in my brain. Translating it. “So your lips are my . . . what?”
“Not telling.”
I raise my hand.
Miss Praline says, “Yes, Keatyn?”
“What does béatitude mean?”
“We can discuss that after class. We need to focus on today’s lesson. We have a lot to cover.”
I turn around quick and say to Aiden, “Aiden? Is it a bad word?”
“I doubt I would say a bad word about your lips.”
“Although it doesn’t really sound like a bad word. Isn’t that something religious? Oh, wait, I’ll look it up on my phone.” I pull my phone out of my bag and click on a French translator app. I’m frustrated that I can’t come up with a simple word.
Miss Praline says, “Keatyn, you know the rules. No phones during school.”
“I’m looking up a French word in French class. This is research.”
“Give me your phone,” she says, walking up to my desk with her hand held out.
“Merde,” I mutter, not quite under my breath.
“You just cursed in French, Miss Monroe. What’s wrong with you today? I’m taking your phone and giving you a thirty minute detention.”
This pisses me off.
“Seal,” I say.
“What?” Miss Praline asks.
I talk louder. I’m pissed. “I said seal.”
“Why?”
“What’s the French word for seal, Miss P?”
“Phoque.”
The class laughs.
I grin at her. “Exactly what I was thinking.”
Her face looks shocked at me, her perfect little French student. “Miss Monroe! Make that two thirty minute detentions!”
Aiden decides to get into the mix for some reason. He’s still laughing. “Wait, so the French word for seal is phoque? Like fuck?”
“Aiden! You’re in detention too!” Miss Praline yells.
He looks all innocent, but I know he’s doing this on purpose. He’s standing up for me. And it makes me want to kiss him.
“Why?” he says. “Surely you can’t give me a detention for speaking French in French class. That doesn’t make sense.”
She gives him the squintiest, maddest eyes she can make and says, “Thirty minutes, Aiden. Now, does anyone else want in today?”