Page 130 of Badd B*tch

"How about you show me your favorite trail?" I suggested, the words tumbling out idiotically.

She eyed me. "I'm not gonna fuck you, Hollywood."

I choked on my spit. "No! I…geez, woman. I meant it literally. Just hike." I shook my head. "I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking." I paused before leaving. "Nice place you've got. I mean that."

I was out the door and more than half a block away when I heard running feet.

“Wait, Hollywood!” I waited, and she caught up to me, puffing slightly. "Fine. I'll show you my favorite place to hike, because you look sad as fuck, and face that pretty shouldn't be sad."

"Isn’t that my line?" I said, grinning.

“Usually, but I don't do anything the usual way. You'll see."

I held out my hand. "Lawrence."

She stared at my hand. "No shit. But does anyone actually call you that?"

“No. I guess not." I dropped my hand and tried again. "Hi, I'm Lore."

She grinned, and the smile dimmed the sun, made my heart clamor in my chest. "Hey, Lore Mackenzie, on whom I may or may not have had a wild crush from ninth grade until—“ she mumbled incoherently, "ago. I'm totally chill, totally cool, totally not freaking out."

"Can't tell," I said, droll. "Do you have a name?”

She tilted her head and stared at me. "Nope." She plucked at her shirt so the writing was legible, and then turned and peered dramatically and sarcastically at the sign over the door, hand shading her eyes and all. "Nope. No name for me. No siree Bob."

"Ella, then."

She slow-clapped. "Congratulations! You figured it out!" She held out her hand, finally, and we shook hands. "Ella Badd. Nice to meet you, Lore." She patted her thigh. "C'mon, let's go hiking."

"Wait…now?"

She shrugged. "Got any better plans?"

No, I did not.

Guess I’m going hiking with a hot but weird girl named Ella Badd.