Wallflower by Cookie O'Gorman (best romance ebooks .TXT) 📕

boy, who then turns into a pirate and comes back to save the love of his life from being forced to marry an awful prince.  There are some amazing side characters and hilarious/romantic moments in equal measure.  It's older and, like I said, kind of quirky, so you probably haven't seen it."

"Ah," he said, crossing his arms.  "Because I'm a jock who's never watched a romantic movie in my life."

I blushed.  "I didn't mean it like that.  I just thought it wouldn't be your kind of thing."

Dare nodded.  "Because all I do is watch ESPN, workout and eat peanuts."

"Are you telling me you don't do all of those things?" I asked, raising a brow.  "Because I now know for a fact you like peanut butter crackers."

"Okay," he laughed.  "So, I do like those things, but there's more to me than that.  A lot more."

"Okay," I said under my breath.  "Well, it was good driving you—I guess.  Hope you have a great senior year."

Dare nodded.  "Thanks for the ride and the food.  I'm sure we'll see each other again soon."

"Hmm" was my only response.

I didn't think we would, but I wasn't about to contradict him.  We were drawing a lot of unwanted attention, and I'd just become aware of how many eyes were on us.  People had literally stopped in the parking lot to stare.  I guess seeing me, the social outcast and soccer coach's daughter, standing with Durham High's #1 player, Dare "Killer" Frost, was a novelty.  They had to be curious as to why we'd shown up together, and more than that, why we were standing in front of my car talking.  I could understand that.  I was wondering about it, too, but I wished they'd go back to their business.  Dare wasn't making it any better.  Instead of leaving, he just stood there, staring at me as if he were waiting for something.

"Well, okay," I said stalling, not wanting to walk in with him.  If us arriving together was causing such a stir, I was sure walking in with Dare would wreak even more havoc.  "I have to get something out of my car then head to the band room before first period."

"Need any help?" he asked.

"No," I said, "you go ahead and go in."

Dare waited until I met his eyes.

"As you wish," he said then tossed me a wink before walking away.

Now I was the one staring after him.

Turning back a moment later, he laughed.  "You should see your face, flower.  Stunned is a good look on you."

"But how…?"

"We had to watch The Princess Bride in Spanish last year," he said in answer.  "One of the funniest movies I've ever seen."

He'd left me speechless once again.

"See ya, Vi," he said before joining up with Tyson and some other guys at the school's front doors.

And I'd thought my confession and seeing Ty after the fact was going to be what made this year crazy odd.

Not going to lie, it took me a moment to recover.  A guy like Dare quoting The Princess Bride?  Inconceivable!

Coming back to my senses, I grabbed my bag, got my instrument out from the backseat, and started walking to the school, replaying the events of the day.  Woke up, found Dare Frost in the driveway, got bamboozled into taking him to school on the first day of senior year by my much-loved-yet-surprisingly-crafty father, had my door opened and seatbelt put on by a boy, shared my breakfast with said boy, had a half-way decent conversation and severely underestimated his movie tastes.

Yeah, I thought, definitely the strangest last first day ever.

  CHAPTER 4

"So, tell me about school."

Paris, my boss, appeared and rested her back against the wall as I was doing one of my favorite duties at the shelter: brushing out the pups.  She was in a perfect position to talk to me and still be able to answer the door if anyone came in.

"How's it feel to finally be a senior, V?"

"Feels okay, I guess," I replied.

"Ah come on," she said.  "I need more than that!  I want to know what it's like to be young again."

"Psh, you're not old," I laughed.

She waved me off.  "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say young one.  Now, stop avoiding the question.  How did it go?"

If I had friends or at least friendly acquaintances, Paris would've fit that bill.  At 27 with a gorgeous head of blonde wavy hair and a slim figure, she was still young, which I'd told her a bunch of times.  But Paris insisted that her soul was aged beyond her years.  Because of her looks, she'd probably be cast in any movie as the mean-girl cheerleader, but her kind heart proved stereotypes weren't always accurate.  She genuinely seemed to like and take an interest in me—possibly because I was a loyal volunteer, always taking on extra hours and willing to work weekends—and I loved her for everything she did to give our rescues whatever they needed.  Animals were her passion, so she was also kind of my inspiration.

"My day wasn't really that interesting," I said—though it had definitely been out of the norm.  I pointed to the black Labrador in my lap.  "I've just been chatting with Professor Snape, and he doesn't seem impressed."

Paris lifted a brow.  "When does he ever?"  Her eyes softened as she gave him, our grumpiest long-time resident, a smile.  "And I thought we discussed this.  His name is Midnight, Viola.  That's what it says on his adoption ad."

"We have," I said.  "And that ad was written before I started doing them, so…"

"No one would take him if we'd called him Professor Snape."

"Excuse me." I gave the big guy's coat another couple of brushes even as he looked balefully up at me.  His eyes were somber.  They