I make it to homeroom on time and plop into the closest seat, the plastic chair cold through my tights. I try as subtly as I can to scan the room for Meredith, since we’re both in here together. I spot her on the other side of the classroom, staring out the window, and my chest squeezes. We used to always sit together, but now everything’s a mess, and she can’t stand to be around me. I’d like to say it’s not fair, but I don’t really blame her. I can’t imagine how I’d feel if I found out she liked Carlton while I was dating him.
Homeroom is the only time I see her these days, because after the sudden resignation of our drama teacher, Mr. Saltzman, we haven’t even had drama club to connect us. And I can’t deny it…I miss her. I miss our friendship. I miss texting her and waiting for her sarcastic, hilarious replies. I miss filming dances to post on social media with her and Mabel. I miss shopping with her, because I can always count on her to be truthful about whether or not something flatters me.
I watch as the door opens and Carlton himself walks in. He looks groggy, like he hasn’t slept in a few days, and I can’t help but wonder why that would be. His gaze sweeps the room before it lands on me. Grinning, he takes the seat beside mine like nothing about the last few weeks has changed.
“Hey.” He grins.
“Hey, C.” My voice comes out rickety. I clear my throat. This is the first time he’s talked to me since school started back up, and it makes my stomach swim with shock and nerves. What is Meredith going to think about him talking to me right now? “How was your break?”
“It was cool.” I can tell he wants to say more, but he lets the statement drop off. Whatever he did over break probablyinvolves Meredith, and he must not want to hurt my feelings by letting me in on how much time they spent together.
But then he locks eyes with me, and I can’t help but feel like he’s aware of the pull between us. The pull that’s always been there, even when he was dating Dot. It’s never gone away. But hemustnot feel it, otherwise he never would have gone for Meredith instead of me as soon as he was single.
“Did you hear about Little Birdie?” he asks.
“Duh. Their disappearing is all anyone talks about these days.”
Carlton grins. “No, not that. Thenewinfo.”
“No.” I frown. “What is it?”
“Apparently Little Birdie is still operating the app, even though they’re done being the one to spread gossip, and they just opened it up to the students here. It’s like a lottery system, though.” He shakes his head like he can’t believe it. “Whoever signs up has the chance to be the next Little Birdie for three months. They gain access to everything, and then when their time’s up, the app locks them out and moves on to the next person.”
My head spins.
Little Birdie, opening up access toanyone?
I can’t think of anything worse. “But why? How does that even work? Please tell me you’re kidding.”
“Nope.”
“You’re saying the most influential app at Fallbrook is opening back up and granting access to any rando who signs up?”
“Well, no. It has to be a Fallbrook student. All you have to enter is your name and student ID number. Whoever wins gets a temporary account upgrade to admin. Apparently you can nominate someone, too.” He laughs. “So, watch out, Rue. I might just have to enter your name in.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Oh, please don’t. When does it choose someone?”
“Tomorrow night,” he says. “Check the app if you don’t believe me.”
I hold his gaze for a second longer before taking out my phone. When I pull up the app, I expect to see the same post that’s been up since the beginning of December. The one that says:
It is with heavy wings and a heavier heart that I write this final letter to you, my loyal flock. Yes, you read that right. This is my final farewell to you. I must fly south for the winter, and possibly forever. But take heart—where one birdie leaves, another is sure to arrive.
It has been my finest pleasure to serve you your delicious worms of gossip, straight from my beak to yours. But now my darling fledglings, you must learn to fend for yourselves, retrieve the worm on your own. Your wings are grown and ready.
Yours Truly, always and forever,
Little Birdie
But that post is no longer the most recent item on the timeline. Now, there’s a sign-up form outlining all the same terms Carlton just told me.
There’s about to be a new Little Birdie at Fallbrook.
I text my mom at lunch.
Me
I’m sitting all alone.
