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I want to say something to ease the tension that’s formed, but there’s nothing I can say. Because no matter what, she’s still going to bring up the fact that she thinks I’m not comfortable being who I am. Which I am. I’m comfortable being the popular, class president. I know that role, and I play it well. And I enjoy playing it. But being the other me, the nerd side of myself just doesn’t connect with all of that. So why even bother?
“Yo, Matt!” Carter calls out to me from across the parking lot.
He’s coming out of Coach Hallinan’s office, along with Lucas, Franco and Jeremy.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, okay,” she answers back but doesn’t look at me. Instead, she gets into her car and drives away.
“Hey.” I catch up with the guys.
They aren’t walking together—since Jeremy still resents Carter—but there’s only one entrance by Coach’s office, so they’re all still close.
“Okay, I gotta ask,” Jeremy speaks up, giving me a douchebag grin. “You hitting that or what, Hillard?”
“Excuse me?” My head snaps towards him, scowling.
“Dude, we all saw that tight ass top she was wearing at the pep rally, with those jeans hugging her ass. Who knew nerds could be that hot.”
Franco starts to chuckle, but I look over at him, and he stops. “McCormick, I got an idea. Why don’t you shut your mouth?”
“Whoa.” He holds up his hands, acting affronted. “Calm down. Just pointing out the obvious.”
“Yeah, well keep the obvious to yourself.”
“Oh, is someone a little sprung over a nerd?”
I drop my bag, stepping to Jeremy. Now mind you, I’m wearing shorts and a tank top, with only socks and no shoes, because I thought it’d be funny to walk around in socks all day. I match McCormick’s height, though he probably outweighs me by ten or fifteen pounds, but right now none of that matters as I stare at him.
“Come on.” Carter puts a hand on my chest. “Back off, dude. He’s not worth it.”
“Bite me, Dixon.” He pushes Carter in the shoulder, making him collide into me.
Carter spins around, swinging a right hand at Jeremy but he sidesteps it. He moves to throw a punch at Carter, but both Lucas and Franco jump in the middle of them. It’s hard to believe we were all friends at the beginning of the year and now it seems more lines are being drawn, as Lucas holds back Carter and Franco tries to calm down Jeremy.
A door swings open behind us, making us all turn around, and we see Coach Hallinan leaving his office. His eyes find and study us all. He pauses, looking at each one of us, giving us a sideways glance, before moving along.
“Let’s go,” Jeremy tells Franco and Lucas, giving both myself and Carter the stink-eye.
Lucas looks over at Jeremy, then back at us. “I’m good.”
Jeremy stops as Franco looks back at us, unsure what’s happening. “Lucas, what the hell?”
Lucas stares at me and then at Carter, taking in a deep breath, before looking at Jeremy. “You’re kind of a dick, dude.”
“Fuck you,” Jeremy spits out. “Fuck all of you.”
“Good riddance,” Carter says, giving Lucas a fist bump as we all watch Jeremy and Franco leave.
“Yeah, but he was my ride home.” Lucas scratches his neck.
“I got you, man.” Carter slaps his shoulder. “Before that drama, I was going to say I’m starving. Want to grab some In-N-Out or something.”
“Yeah, sure.” I nod. “What were you guys doing, anyways?”
“Coach wanted us to meet with some of the freshmen he thinks can make varsity next year.” Carter looks me up and down, giving me the same expression he gave me at lunch. “I still can’t believe you came to school like this.”
“You’re just jealous I have a better tan than you.”
