"So what about Mike, anyway?" Ella asked, her almond-shaped eyes full of curiosity. "I thought you were totally into him."

"I guess I got bored," I answered, feeling a little guilty. "You know how it is once you've got the guy. No challenge."

"I wish I knew," GuiGui said. She was kind of sensitive about never having had a boyfriend. And she was a little shy. And I guessed having a big-time district attorney for a dad could be intimidating to guys.

"Come on, GuiGui. You'll get a boyfriend." I touched her shoulder. "Look, if your father lets you hang out with a three-horned, purple-haired chick," I said, motioning to Ella, "he's definitely lowering his standards, right?"

Ella twisted her face and stuck out her tongue, making GuiGui crack a smile.

"You know what?" I draped my arm around GuiGui's shoulder. "This is the year we're going to find love. Both of us."

"And how do you know that?" GuiGui asked.

"Because we're going to make it a goal," I replied. "Instead of sitting back and hoping for the perfect guy, let's go after him." I rubbed my hands together. "This is just the thing to make senior year the ultimate high school experience."

"Look out," Ella said. "Rainie's on a manhunt. Can I watch?"

Genie laughed. "Hey what about me and Ella? Aren't we going to find love this year too?"

"You've already found love," I told her. "With Calvin."

"You mean that guy I know who's sexy and sweet and sensitive and calls me every night just before I go to bed? Yeah," Genie said with a dreamy smile. "I guess you're right."

We reached the hallway where Genie's locker and mine were. I kissed my hand and planted it on the locker I'd had since freshman year. Genie opened her locker and shoved in some yearbook files.

"I've got calculus first," I said, studying my schedule.

"English," Genie said.

"Me too," GuiGui added.

"Drama," Ella said. "And I'll also be backstage during my free period. Mr. Chiu said he's relying on me to paint all the sets for the school productions. I'm psyched to focus on my art."

I turned to GuiGui. "So what do you say? Are we going to find the loves of our lives this year?"

"I am definitely in," GuiGui said. "But I don't know why this year should be any better than the last. I'm just not lucky when it comes to guys."

"Your luck is about to change, because I'm going to help you." A group of guys in rugby shirts passed us. Lacrosse players, I thought, I smiled at them, and they smiled back.

"Getting a guy is easy," I told GuiGui, thinking of the times when I was looking my absolute worst and guys still flirted with me. "Like last week? My mom sent me for milk after cheerleading practice, and was all sweaty and grungy, but the guy behind the counter asked me out anyway. It's all a matter of self-confidence. Guys are really attracted to a confident girl."

"Yeah, well--- I'm sure your long legs and black hair don't hurt, either," GuiGui said.

"Wait a sec," Ella said. "It's easy to say yes when a guy asks you out. But getting the right guy to ask you out... that's the hard part."

"Ella's right, Rainie," Genie said. "Maybe this is the perfect time for you to stop going after your usual type of guy and go for someone different. Someone who's challenging. Someone you might want to really get involved with."

"Yeah, yeah." I waved a hand. Genie and I had had this conversation before. She thought that I backed away from guys when things had the potential to get serious. She said I was afraid to trust a guy, probably because my dad walked out on my family and proved to be so unworthy of trust.

But that was years ago. I was so totally over it. Genie disagreed. She said parental bonds have lasting impact. I said last year's psychology class had gone to her head--- with lasting impact.

Assuming the conversation was closed, I opened my backpack, searching for a notebook for calculus.

"Go for someone you're really into," Genie went on, "but too chicken to ask out. What about Jiro Wang?"

I almost choked. Genie hadn't even been there this morning when Jiro cruised by. Had she read my mind? Not that it would be the first time. We'd been friends for so long, we were tuned into the same channel.

Genie smiled. "Yup. I've seen the way you zone out when he's around. And--- news flash--- he's single. I found out just this morning that he and Han broke up two weeks ago."

For a second, I couldn't breathe. I was in shock. Jiro was available?

"Well..." I hesitated. "Not that I wouldn't like to go for it, Genie. Jiro is one of those guys that breaks the mold."

"How? Ella asked. "I always thought he was a typical fooball jock."

"He's really smart,"GuiGui added. "His name is always on honor roll."

"Plus he's a DJ for the school radio station," I pointed out. "And over the summer I saw him get onstage for open mike at the Clubbed. He plays guitar, and he's really good." My pulse started pounding a little faster just remembering how he looked when he played. That was the night I really started to notice him.

"So?" Genie shook my shoulder. "What are you waiting for?"

"I just... are you sure they broke up?" Why was I feeling so flustered?

"Positive," Genie said.

"Rainie?" Ella drummed her sparkly nails on the locker. "I can't believe what I'm seeing. You're intimidated by a guy--- by Jiro."

"I am not," I insisted.

"Then prove it," Ella said. "I propose a bet, you get Jiro to ask you out by Friday. That'll prove you're not chicken."

"Some bet. I have to do all the work," I said.

"Easy work for a guy magnet like you, right?" Ella replied.

"Right. Getting a guy is easy," GuiGui teased her.

"And let's make this something we can all sink our teeth into,"Genie added. "The loser has to buy dinner for everyone at the Clubbed.

"Wait. Wait a second," I said. I was starting to feel as if things were slipping out of control. I knew it shouldn't be a big deal to get Jiro to ask me out--- but it was. And I didn't want to admit that to my friends. I mean, especially right after I gave GuiGui that speech about being confident.

The thing was, I'd never gone after a guy. I'd never tried to get a guy to like me. And I really cared about whether or not Jiro liked me.

The second bell rang. "I've got to get to calc," I said.

"Come on, Rainie." Ella placed her hands on her hips as if we were squaring off. "What do you say?"

Everyone stared at me. What could I say? "You're on!"