23.7 Dad Alert

Kori’s thoughts wouldn’t stop rolling while she was supposed to be studying. A big science test awaited them in a few days, and she needed to be vigilant. With her stellar grades, she was in no danger of failing, of course. But, Victor Hawthorne looked at her today. It was a big deal. How could she be expected to concentrate with his face ingrained on her brain? One slip up might tarnish her perfect record.

“Ok,” she said, “Can we just pause and talk about this for a moment?”

“Talk about what?” Chelsea asked from her book.

Kori huffed. “Lunch! Didn’t you see Victor looking at me?”

“Lots of guys look at you,” she said with a little annoyance.

Her head jerked back. “No they don’t.”

“Yes, they do. You just never pay attention.”

Kori snorted. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Well, you shouldn’t.”

Chelsea said things like that a lot. Was it true? Or, was she saying it because they were best friends? Did she really have admirers this whole time and simply failed to recognize them? If that were true, how come Chelsea never said anything?

“So … Who else has been looking at me?”

Chelsea snorted. “Seriously?”

“Just, you know, for future reference?”

Chelsea rolled her eyes. “All of them! Gosh. Even my brother.”

“Randall??”

“Kori … You’re smart, pretty, you come from a great family, and everyone knows it. Look, I’m not as good at this stuff as you are. Can we finish? We can talk about Victor all you want after.”

Kori did finally get focused and helped Chelsea study. Jared was kind enough to bring them food to power through the rest of their session. After having enough of titrates and peptides, the girls retired to the living room. Kori tried to watch TV while Chelsea texted someone. The previous conversation came back in mind as if it never left. Imagine! Kori Pruett, the darling of Willow Creek High; the girl in all the boys dreams; subject of all the girls gossip. It seemed too good to be true.

“So … Guys really like me?”

“Kori! Why is this so hard for you to accept? I don’t get it.”

“Because! Like, no one says anything to me. Like, ever! If I didn’t know you and Donna, I would have zero friends.”

Chelsea sighed looked on in pity. “Maybe people are just scared.”

Kori’s head jerked back. “Scared? Of me“

“Yeah. Like, intimidated?”

“Why the heck would they be intimidated by me??”

“Because! You’re everything, Kori!”

“What does that even mean?”

“You’re super smart. The top of the class, actually. You come across as super confident. And, you’re a Pruett!”

Kori snorted. “But, I’m not a Pruett Pruett.”

Chelsea waved her away. “People don’t understand that legacy stuff, Kori. You have a prestigious last name. No wonder Victor was the only one brave enough to ask you out.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry. Look, it’s getting late. I should probably head back home. Thanks for helping me.”