“You’re not worried about what Meredith might say?”
He turns to look at me. “Why should I be? We’re friends. She knows that.”
“Yeah, friends. And I’m the annoying puppy who can’t take a hint, apparently.”
He stops walking, but I don’t. I make a U-turn on the sidewalk and head right back home. If I knew he just wanted to waste my time, I never would have come outside.
“Rue, wait. That’s exactly why I wanted to talk to you. I need to apologize because I didn’t mean that, I promise. I just had to calm her down because she got mad that we were talking.”
I roll my eyes and turn to face him. “Well I’m glad she has nothing to worry about now. She knows you don’t have feelings for me.” The words don’t even taste bitter as they come out.
Carlton swallows. Takes a step closer. “Yeah…but she’s still worriedyouhave feelings forme.”
It’s the first time he’s acknowledged it out loud to me—the fact that he knows. And of course he does. Everyone knows. But still, it’s weird to hear him say it.
I don’t know what propels my next words—exhaustion, maybe, or frustration at this whole situation? Perhaps because of what he said at Dot’s party and how badly it hurt to hear. ButI say them. And once I do, there’s no going back. “I don’t have feelings for you, C. Little Birdie got it wrong. I fell for Ezra, and I was using you to cover the whole thing up.”
He frowns. “So you really like him then?”
“Yeah. Sorry for the confusion.” I shrug one shoulder. “Please, just make sure Meredith knows she has nothing to worry about.”
“So just to be clear, you…you don’t have feelings for me at all?”
“Nope.” I bite my lip.Come on, Rue. You can sell this next part. Your friendship depends on it.“It was a secret relationship, for a while,” I say. “I wasn’t ready for everyone to find out yet. You know how gossip can be.”
He nods, but he’s still frowning. “Right. Yeah, I do.”
My stomach tightens, but I’m just glad he’s buying it. “I have a lot of homework. What else did you want to talk about?”
“Not much. Can you believe how weird it is that we’re having a musical?” Carlton shoves his hands in his pockets. “I’ve already got my song ready.”
My stomach sinks at the reminder. “Nice. I’m actually planning to sign up for the crew.”
“That would be perfect for you.” He grins. “I could totally see you thriving behind the scenes.”
He probably means it as a compliment, but it feels like a slap. “Thanks. I, uh, better get back to that homework. See you later.”
“You too.”
He waves goodbye, and I stand on the sidewalk the whole time as I watch him walk away.
Would someone who signed me up to be Little Birdie act like that?
Probably.
Carlton acts like a lot of things. Sweet. Sorry. Confused. Maybe all of them are real, or maybe none of them are. I don’t even know anymore.
Mom is still talking to Linda when I head back inside, so I go to my room. Checking my phone, I see a text from Dot.
Dot
auditions are tomorrow
Me
I know. are you nervous?
Dot
