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that’s way too embarrassing. I probably should’ve driven with Mom. Her catering company, the Sassy Gourmet, is in charge of the kitchen this week. But getting a ride with Mommy definitely didn’t feel very Casual -like. Plus, I’d have had to tell the girls eventually.
    Now that I had, it’s time for a subject change.
    “You know, Gabi, with me and Brandon hooking up, we’re gonna be spending even more time together. And, since Brandon’s good friends with Carlos, he’ll probably be hanging around a lot more, too.”
    Gabi leans back in her seat with a growl, and I glance over at Kara, who immediately jumps on the new topic. Gotta love that girl and her never-ending matchmaker ways. “Hey, that’s right! Now, Gabi, do we need to go over the fine art of flirting again? Let’s see, step one—when a boy smiles at you, it’s okay to smile back.”
    I pull down my visor and see Gabi flip us off in the mirror. We’ve been trying for the last six months to get her to admit she likes Carlos. It’s obvious they’re into each other, and they flirt constantly. Unfortunately for Carlos, there’s the pesky detail of Gabi refusing to date high-school boys. She says it’s too expected. But she doesn’t date that many college guys either. Gabi’s comfortable being on her own—a concept that boggles my mind.
    “Maybe I’m just not into him,” she stubbornly says from the back seat. “You ever think about that?”
    Kara adjusts her rearview mirror to see Gabi better. It’s not like she needs it to see the road or anything. I immediately grab the buckle of my seatbelt, ensuring it’s secure. “So you’re saying you don’t think he’s hot?” she asks.
    Gabi crosses her arms and slides further down in her seat. “I refuse to answer the question on the grounds that I may incriminate myself.”
    “He likes you, Gabi,” I say, closing my visor and turning to face her. “And we know you think he’s cute. His cuteness isn’t actually up for debate—it’s a fact. So when are you gonna give the poor boy a chance?”
    “Never!” She slams her hand against the back of my seat. “Look, besides the fact that he’s still in high school, his family goes to our church. Wouldn’t that just make my mother’s freaking day?”
    Gabi and her mom are like oil and water. Ms. Avila rides Gabi about her clothes, her hair, and how she thinks a young lady should act, and Gabi loves finding creative ways to make Mom grab for the rosary beads.
    Kara and I exchange a smirk but drop it for now. We switch to safer topics, such as how far Lauren Hays will push the rule against string bikinis, and all talk of me hooking up with Brandon is safely averted. Ten miles later, the sign for Cypress Lake comes into view.
    “Fairwood Academy,” I whisper, my insides starting to shake. “Prepare to meet the new Aly.”

    BRANDON
DINING HALL, 5:40 p.m .

    My stomach rumbles as I eye the long table of food. I shift my gaze to the large clock on the wall, note the twenty minutes remaining until dinner, and curse myself for not packing a few protein bars. Clearly, the trip organizers do not understand the realities of the teenage male stomach.
    To distract myself, I scan the crowded hall for Aly and end up spotting her mom. I forgot she was in charge of the kitchen this week. Mrs. Reed smiles and looks around, then points to the tray of cookies in front of her, motioning me over. I tell the guys I’ll be back and stealthily cross the room.
    It pays to have friends in high places.
    “Don’t tell anyone,” she whispers, sliding me a handful of cookies under the table. “I swear I could hear that stomach of yours growling all the way over here. Now shoo before I get in trouble for playing favorites.” I give her a quick hug and shove a cookie in my mouth. Pocketing the rest, I make my way back across the room.
    “Aw, yeah! Using hookup status to snag us some food,” Carlos says, snatching a cookie from my hand. “I knew being friends