Chapter 3

When I read that message, I was stunned.

He wanted to meet up in person.

And that wasn't in my plans.

I always figured our little "misery contest" would stay online, going back and forth until one of us finally got tired of it.

Before I could reply, he sent another message.

J.K: [I'm off next Wednesday. How about we grab a bite? I know this pizza place. Their pizza is only five bucks and loaded with toppings.]

I stared at the words "five bucks" and "loaded with toppings" for a long time, not sure what to say.

Wow, this guy really knew how to keep it simple.

Before I could figure out how to turn him down, Jenna was making some noise again.

She was trying on a brand-new dress in front of the mirror, chatting on the phone in that high-pitched, cutesy voice of hers.

She said, "Honey, next Wednesday, right? Yay, I can't wait. Okay, you'll pick me up at the school gate, right? Love you, muah."

After hanging up, she spun around in her dress, the hem swirling around her.

She beamed. "Martha, I've got a date with M.B. next Wednesday at the Cloud."

The Cloud was the city's fancy revolving restaurant, where the average bill per person started at one thousand.

"What a coincidence," I said, waving my backup phone. "I've got a date with J.K next Wednesday as well."

Jenna looked like she'd just heard the funniest joke ever.

She shouted, "You? With him? Where are you meeting? At the construction site cafeteria?"

"Nope," I drawled. "At Old Jone's down south. Just five bucks for a pizza, and it's loaded with toppings."

Jenna was laughing so hard that she could barely stand, her foundation brush trembling in her hand.

She said, "Martha, you're such a riot. Are you seriously going? Just don't end up splitting the bill and realize you can't even cough up five bucks. That would be hilarious!"

"I don't have to pay," I replied deadpan. "He's covering it. He just got his paycheck of 100 dollars, a huge windfall."

Jenna laughed even harder and gave me a thumbs-up. "You're a legend. I can't wait to hear all about your 'fancy feast'."

She turned back to the mirror, striking poses and humming, "Next Wednesday, I'm finally joining the elite. Some people, though, can only afford a five-dollar pizza. Guess we're not all born lucky."

Her sour sense of superiority was dripping off the screen.

I ignored her and looked down at my chat with J.K.

For some reason, her attitude made me want to say yes even more.

Whatever, I'd go.

I was curious to see what this so-called "construction guy" who kept whining about being broke online really looked like.

Even if he turned out to be some scruffy dude, the most I'd lose was five bucks for the cab.

But if I got to watch a good show, it'd be worth it.

I replied: [Okay.]

After sending that, I tossed my phone aside, feeling a tiny bit of anticipation.

Before I knew it, Wednesday rolled around.

Jenna was up before the sun, bouncing with excitement.

She spent two hours in the shower, curled her hair for ages, and did a full-on red-carpet makeup look.

Finally, she slipped into that dress that was supposed to cost thousands of dollars and strutted around the dorm in her four-inch heels, looking like a proud peacock.

She smiled. "Martha, how do I look? Is M.B going to be totally blown away by me?"

I was sitting at my desk, patting toner on my face, and glanced up at her.

I told her, "You look great. Like a CEO about to cut the ribbon at some fancy grand opening."

Jenna didn't catch the sarcasm at all. She looked pleased.

She said proudly, "Of course. I'm going to steal the show today."

She sprayed half a bottle of perfume, and the whole dorm was filled with a scent so strong that it was almost suffocating.

Just before she left, Jenna couldn't resist throwing one last jab at me.

She shook her head. "Oh, Martha, you're not even going to change? Are you really going to meet your Mr. Construction Guy in that T-shirt and jeans? That's seriously disrespectful."

I slowly laced up my canvas shoes and stood up.

I shrugged. "We broke folks keep it simple. That's just how we roll. You wouldn't understand."

"Whatever," Jenna scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm done with you. I'm off to embrace my happiness. Enjoy your pizza at Old Jone's."

With that, she clacked out in her heels, leaving me with her arrogant back.

I watched her walk away and shook my head.

I picked up my phone and texted J.K. [I'm on my way.]

J.K: [Alright, I'm heading out, too. Hey, I wore my fanciest clothes just for you today.]

I asked: [How much did it cost?]

J.K: [40 dollars, but I got it on sale for 35 dollars.]

I replied: [Oh, you're loaded.]

I turned off my phone and headed out of the dorm.

Jenna's dating place, the Cloud, was smack dab in the city's glitziest downtown area.

Meanwhile, the Old Jone's was hidden away in the old, forgotten neighborhood down south.

We each went our own way, one left, one right, marching off to our own, wildly different battlegrounds.

I took a cab to Old Jone's, and as soon as I walked in, the smell of freshly baked pizza hit me.

The place wasn't big, but it was spotless, and every table was packed. Business looked booming.

I grabbed a seat by the window and shot J.K a message.

I typed: [I'm here, by the window, wearing a white T-shirt.]

J.K: [Cool, I'll be there soon.]

I waited for about five minutes, starting to get suspicious.

I wondered if he was going to bail on me.

Or maybe he was lurking somewhere, checking me out, realized I didn't look like my pictures, and just ditched.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, the door to the pizza place swung open.

A man walked in.

For a split second, it felt like all the noise in the place just vanished.

I stared at him, and my cup clattered onto the table.

Holy crap. I wondered if that was J.K.