How To Be A Perfect Girl Read Free Page A

there,”
another corner, “and juniors there and seniors there,” she gestured
to the final two corners. The sound of chairs squeaking filled the
cafeteria as everyone moved to their designated corners; Valentina
was already sitting close enough to the Freshman corner, so she
decided to remain where she was. A shy looking boy sat down near
her; she tried to catch his eye with a smile, but he either didn’t
see or chose to ignore her.
    “Oh, you’re the girl who thought you got
acid on your arm,” Valentina turned to locate the source of the
statement; Jenny Curtis took a seat right next to her, “You’re in
my chem class.”
    “Yeah, I know. You were the one who made Mr.
Phillips explain the soap thing.”
    “Well you don’t blame me, do you? Honestly,
I come here to learn.” Jenny looked ready for an argument.
    Valentina decided it would be pointless to
voice her opinion. Instead, she turned to a blonde boy who had sat
down next to the shy-looking boy; they were talking excitedly and
looking at something behind the table. “What are you doing?” she
asked.
    The blonde boy smiled at her, his tilted
glasses adding humor to the expression, “We’re trading Mini Monster
cards. Wanna see?”
    “Uh, sure,” Valentina replied. The boy
handed her a card and she took it lightly, noticing how it
shimmered in the light. “It’s certainly—interesting.”
    “Oh yeah,” the blonde boy said, “Mini
Monsters has all sorts of complex rules and different card types
and so. If you wanted, I could show you how to play—I have an extra
starter deck at home if you want it.”
    Well now you’ve done
it , Valentina thought. She couldn’t think
of a way to decline without hurting the boy’s feelings; his shy
friend whispered something Valentina couldn’t hear. “What’s that?”
she asked.
    “He said you were just being nice and you
don’t actually care.”
    Yup, that’s pretty much
it , Valentina thought. Instead she said,
“No, of course I’m interested. Maybe you could bring your starter
deck thing to the next Student Council meeting?”
    Jenny laughed, “You don’t actually wanna
learn how to play a stupid card game, do you?” she asked, loud
enough that the two boys could hear.
    “Sure. I mean might as well, right?”
Valentina replied.
    Jenny scoffed. Raelyn had retaken her
position at the head of the cafeteria, “Ok, so this is the time to
get to know your fellow class leaders. If you’ve been talking with
the same people for the past few minutes, move and find someone new
to meet.”
    There were eleven freshmen in all; Valentina
grabbed her bag and started to move to another group. “Wait!” the
blonde boy called, “What’s your name?”
    “Valentina—Val.”
    “Cool. I’m Aiden and he—“Aiden pointed to
his quiet, black-haired friend, “Is the one they call Noah.”
    “Huh?” Val shot Aiden a confused look.
    “Just trying to be funny—nevermind. See you
around.”
    Valentina started for the group Jenny had
moved to, but they were giggling and looking at her in a way that
made her think Jenny had already told them the Chemistry story. She
avoided the girls and sat with the other group of four—she was the
only girl there.
    The conversation died off for a moment;
“That seat looks uncomfortable, why don’t you sit here instead?”
the boy gestured to his lap, and his friends all laughed.
    “Uh, no thanks.” Valentina grimaced.
    “Well, we’re supposed to get to know each
other. And you—well, I want to get to know you very intimately,”
the boy winked as more laughter goaded him on.
    “Gross.”
    “How is that gross? It’s not like I’m asking
you to give me a lap dance. Although, if you wanted to I wouldn’t
say no.”
    Valentina’s face flushed; she wasn’t used to
anyone speaking so crudely. “That will never happen.”
    “Alright, mi bella, I’ll settle for your
name then.” The boy smiled—although it looked more like a leer than
any smile Valentina had seen