Nothing’s going on there right? There’s no way.
“Very cool,” Eleanor says in that same peppy tone. David hums in agreement, but Jack only gives one tense nod in acknowledgment.
“Wait a sec,” David says, sitting up. “I thought you dropped Spanish because you said it made you sad.”
“No, David,” I say with a forced laugh, like I’m humoring my dopey best friend and not about to rip his head off. “I said I was bummed I couldn’t fit it in my schedule—not that the class made me sad.”
“Well obviously I know Spanish didn’t make you sad, I meant–” David argues, brows furrowing in confusion, but when I see Eleanor shake her head almost imperceptibly out of the corner of my eye, he snaps his mouth shut.
“Oh, you’re probably right dude,” he says quickly, trying to brush it off. “You know I never listen to what your dumb ass has to say.”
Breaking the uncomfortable silence that follows, Katie asks, “So, I know how Griffin met Jack and David, but how did he meet you, Ellie?”
Katie doesn’t clock the way her eyes widen slightly, but I sure do.And there’s Jack gripping her knee again. What that fuck is that?
“Oh,” she says, her falsely cheery shield cracking a bit when the question catches her off guard. “Funny you mentioned it, I actually met him in Spanish class freshman year.”
“Oooh, we’ll have to hang out sometime so I can get the inside scoop,” Katie says, perking up with curiosity. “You must have all the tea about whatever girl from your classbroke his heart. He won’t tell me who she is, just that they don’t talk anymore.”
Shit shit shit.
“Oh, totally,” Eleanor says, laughing it off like she’s genuinely looking forward to some girly gossip hour. “Yeah, she was a real bitch.”
David immediately chokes on the gummy worm he’s eating, and Jack gives her a sharp look at the same time that I yell, “Watch it!”
Katie jumps, startled by the chaotic reactions, but Eleanor chimes in before any of us can say anything.
“Ignore them,” she says with a wave of her hand. “I don’t normally curse, they lose their minds every time I do it.”
Katie relaxes back, laughing at what she thinks is a well-timed joke. David gasps loudly as he finally dislodges the gummy from his throat, and Jack has readjusted his facial expression, but when my eyes lock on Eleanor’s, I can’t read the emotions behind them.
I don’t think that’s ever happened before.
“Anyway, it’s getting kind of late,” I say, clearing my throat. “Don’t you need to be home soon for curfew?” It’s only 10 PM on a Friday, and we both know damn well that her curfew isn’t until midnight. For a second I think she’s going to call me on my bullshit, but whatever she sees onmy face when she turns to look at me must convince her otherwise.
“Yeah no, you’re right,” she says in a small voice, “It was really nice to hang out with you guys.”
She gathers up her things, awkwardly waving goodbye before heading upstairs. I mentally kick myself every step of the way behind her, because this was, as I’ve said, anawfulidea.
I expected the guys to still be here when I got back, but all I hear is silence. Laying in bed, I try to convince myself my friends are the reason tonight was so awkward. I grab my phone from my nightstand and angrily type out a text.
Griffin:What the fuck guys?
Jack: Pardon?
David: I swear I didn’t do it
Griffin: Do what?
David: I don’t know, but whatever it is, it’s not my fault
Eleanor:Hi Griffin, how are you? I’m fine, thanks for asking. Is there something you wanted to discuss?
Griffin: Hi. Whatever. You guys were so rude to Katie.
Jack: In what fuckinguniverse?
David: It’s not my fault I choked, Ellie made me. Blame her.
