Teen Idol (25 page)

And then—amazing but true—it just kind of slipped out. The truth. As easily as if we’d been talking about books or something.

"—the way I am with you."

There. I’d said it. It was out there, floating around in space. The
L
word.

Just like that.

I was kind of wishing I could snatch it up and stuff it back into my mouth . . .

. . . until Scott’s grip on my hand tightened. Now it
definitely
didn’t seem like he was going to let go of it anytime soon.

"Did you just say you
love
me?" he asked.

Well, what was I supposed to do? It was done. I’d said it. There was no going back now.

And you know what? Suddenly, I didn’t want to.

"Only since, like, the fifth grade," I said. I knew I was babbling, but I didn’t care "
That's
why I never dated anybody else I mean, you moved. But then you came back, and I—"

I didn’t get to do much talking after that. That’s on account of the fact that Scott grabbed me then and pulled me to him.

And started kissing me all over again.

And this time I didn’t stop him.

We kissed all the way through the fireworks display We didn’t even notice that there
was
a fireworks display . . .

. . . I guess because we’d been making fireworks of our own.

When we finally came back to the campfire—Scott’s arm around my shoulders and mine around his waist—Trina came rushing up, going, "Where
were
you? You missed all the Hey. What …?" Then her eyes got very big. "
Oh
."

I guess she finally noticed Scott’s arm around me. Or maybe she noticed the beatific smile on my face. At least, that’s what she told me later. That I had looked beatific . . . even with Queen Anne’s lace in the clip holding back my hair, instead of the forget-me-nots I’d started out with.

But I guess you would look beatific, too, if the man you had been in love with since the fifth grade had told you that he was in love with you, too.

Scott agrees with Luke and Geri that I should run for student body president next year He says he’ll even provide all the cookies and muffins and stuff for any bake sales. Cara and Trina, who are my campaign managers, might want to hold on my behalf.

And while I never turn down an opportunity to sample Scott’s cooking, I do think student body president might be aiming a little too low.

I have to say, I’m thinking, a girl with my people skills? Well . . .

Why not the White House?

Out and about in L.A.
People are talking about …

Luke Striker, seen yesterday on Rodeo Drive, strolling with current stead, UCLA freshman Geri Lynn Packard, and sporting a bandage on his right bicep. Striker is rumored to be undergoing laser removal for a tattoo left over from last years tryst with
Lancelot and Guinevere
co-star
Angelique Tremaine
. . .

Now Playing

See Luke Striker in US 30 . . . . Can a high school senior save his Indiana town from a terrorist attack, while winning the heart of the girl of his dreams? Ebert & Roper call Striker’s performance a "tour de force" and give the film an two thumbs up.
Also starring Lindsay Johan as Green.

Ask Annie

Ask Annie your most complex interpersonal relationship questions.

Go on, we dare you!

All letters to Annie are subject to publication in the Clayton High School
Register
.

Names and e-mail addresses of correspondents guaranteed confidential.

Dear Annie,

Okay. So I took your advice, and I told him. And guess what? It turns out he loves me too
!

So . . . what do we do now
?

Desperate No More

Dear Desperate No More,

You live happily ever after
.

Annie