Simon
You’re in the wrong place, Kylie. This is detention.
Simon
You’re like the best student in class.
Kylie
Trust me, I belong here.
I gulp, looking around the room.
It’s Saturday afternoon and there are a ton of delinquents here.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
I bet I’m the only one who got detention on purpose.
But hopefully, it will be worth it.
Because I know for a fact that Thomas Keyes will be here today.
And I’m determined to get him to ask me to the dance.
I have a huge crush on him.
Once I saw him walk along the top of the monkey bars in 2nd grade…
But I’m basically invisible to him.
Simon
I’m not sure you do.
Simon
Seriously, how did you get detention?
Simon
Did you do too much homework?
Simon
Did you get caught washing the principal’s car?
Simon
I just want to know.
Kylie
Why? I know how you got detention.
Kylie
It’s because you can’t shut your mouth for 2 seconds.
Simon
Yeah, but that was easy to figure out.
Simon
Everybody knows that about me.
I’m about to answer, but my voice no longer works.
Because Thomas is walking into the classroom.
Tall, with broad shoulders.
And with the kind of face that’s destined to be on billboards one day.
All eyes are on him as he strolls across the room like a panther.
He takes a seat by the window.
Simon
Hello? Earth to Kylie?
Simon
Do you have a date for the dance yet?
Simon
No. Want to go with me?
Simon shrugs good-naturedly.
Simon
I kind of figured you’d say that.
I’m only interested in going with one guy and he’s not sitting beside me.
He’s sitting by the window.
Kylie
Do you know if Thomas has a date?
Simon
I have a better shot going with Thomas than you do.
Simon
He only dates cool girls.
Simon
Nerds need not apply.
Hence why I’m in detention.
Kylie
You’re the worst. I’m sitting over there.
I take a deep breath and gather my things.
Then I sit behind Thomas by the window.
My heart feels like it’s trying to pound out of my chest.
And my eyes roam over his broad shoulders.
I could stare at that tight clinging t-shirt all day.
Memorize the way it conforms to his muscular back.
Thomas turns around and does a double-take when he sees me.
He’s probably wondering what a nerd like me is doing in detention.
Except I’m not a nerd anymore.
Today I’m a rebel without a cause.
I take a deep breath, hyping myself up as he opens his mouth.
Thomas
Are you in the right room?
Kylie
Isn’t this detention?
Kylie
Then I’m in the right room.
Kylie
I told the principal to 'F off' and he sent me here.
Kylie
Whatever, I don’t care. I do what I want.
God, I sound like an idiot.
Thomas
You told the principal to 'F off'?
I shrug, trying to look unfazed.
But my palms are sweating like crazy under the desk.
Kylie
That’s the kind of girl I am now.
Kylie
The ultimate rebel who plays by her own rules.
Just then the teacher walks in.
It’s Mrs. Hornby. My English teacher.
Mrs. Hornby
Welcome to Saturday detention everybody.
I slink down in my seat as she scans the room.
Mrs. Hornby
Kylie? Is that you?
Mrs. Hornby
What are you doing here?
Mrs. Hornby
The debate club meeting is in the auditorium today.
Mrs. Hornby
Are you in the wrong room?
I shake my head as my cheeks burn red.
If they go any hotter, they’ll set the fire alarm off.
Thomas turns around with a smirk on his face.
And I have a desperate urge to jump out the window.
Kylie
No, I’m supposed to be here.
Mrs. Hornby
I find that hard to believe.
Mrs. Hornby
You’re my best student.
Mrs. Hornby
That Hamlet paper you wrote was simply spectacular.
So much for my new persona.
Thanks a lot, Mrs. Hornby.
Mrs. Hornby
If anyone wants to learn how to be a model student…
Mrs. Hornby
Then look no further at Kylie Burke over there.
Snickers fill the room as Mrs. Hornby points directly at me.
Mrs. Hornby
As for the rest of you, I don’t want to see any phones today…
My whole plan is ruined now.
Thomas won’t believe that I’m anything but a total nerd.
I feel like such an idiot.
What a wasted Saturday afternoon.
But then, he turns around.
Thomas
You finished the Hamlet essay?
Jeez, it was due 2 weeks ago.
Thomas
It sounds like you got an A+.
How do I recover from this one?
Rebels don’t ace English papers.
Kylie
I copied it off the internet.
I give myself a mental bow.
Thomas
Oh, that’s too bad.
Thomas
Because I need help with mine.
He turns back around, and I blurt out a string of words in a panic.
Kylie
I still remember it!
Kylie
It would be my pleasure.
Kylie
I mean…yeah, whatever, I guess.
I shrug, trying to look like I don’t care either way.
Thomas raises his hand and my stomach does a little flip.
Thomas
Mrs. Hornby, can Kylie help me with my English paper?
Thomas
I’m having a bit of trouble with it.
Mrs. Hornby
The paper that was due 2 weeks ago?
Thomas
That’s the one. The one about the omelet.
Mrs. Hornby
You mean Hamlet?
He smirks, clearly joking.
I mean, God, hopefully he’s joking…
Mrs. Hornby
Fine. There’s an empty classroom next door.
Mrs. Hornby
You and Kylie can go work on it alone.
I gulp as he looks at me with those killer green eyes.
He’s waiting for my answer.
Kylie
I mean…sure, whatever.
I try to look calm and relaxed as I wipe my sweaty palms on my jeans.
I follow him out of the classroom.
My breath quickens as we walk into the empty classroom.
I’m a little lightheaded as I sit down and pull out my notebook.
Kylie
Don’t you want to work on the paper?
Thomas
How about you do it and I pay you $50?
Kylie
I hope you’re joking.
His face is completely serious.
What did I ever see in him?
I stand up so fast that the chair skids across the floor behind me.
Kylie
I’m going back to the classroom.
Thomas
Wow…chill out, man.
A laughing voice echoes into the classroom.
Simon
Kylie’s a lot of things, but she’s definitely not chill.
Simon
That’s why I wanted her to go to the dance with me.
Simon
I like when she gets riled up.
The blood drains from my face.
Right now, my heart is hammering in my chest.
But it’s a different kind of hammering than I feel around Thomas.
When my heart hammers around Simon…
Kylie
Yes. Let’s go to the dance together, Simon.
Kylie
But don’t be late picking me up.
Simon
You’re going to make us be that couple, huh?
Simon
The one that shows up to the dance early?
Kylie
I didn’t tell you to be early.
Kylie
I told you not to be late.
Turns out detention is pretty fun.
