Meredith grins. “Speaking of modeling…Mabel and I just got accepted as contestants for a modeling competition over summer that I’m really excited about. I’ve been wanting to tell you.” She doesn’t need to elaborate, to explain that she wanted to tell me but couldn’t because we weren’t on speaking terms. Meredith launches into the details of the competition—a social media show that recently blew up—excitement etched into every word.
But then her tone sours ever so slightly. “By the way, I’ve heard whispers throughout school about Ezra being kind of a player. I have to admit, I’ve been worried, Rue.”
She’s worried aboutmyrelationship? Does she even realize how much of a flirt Carlton is when she’s not around? “Meredith, trust me. You don’t need to worry.” She bites her lip, so I add, “I trust Ezra.”
“Okay. It’s just that…I can imagine what might happen if things end badly between you two. You’d be sad, Rue. And you’d most likely seek the comfort of your friends. All of them.”
I frown. “Do you think I’d go running to Carlton if Ezra and I didn’t last?”
She shrugs, but the little frown on her face stays put. “I don’t know.”
I rest my hands on her shoulders and force her to look at me. “Meredith. I promise you have nothing to worry about with me and Carlton.”
She searches my face. I don’t know what she sees, but her frown finally disappears, and a smile takes its place. “Okay.”
Then she resumes telling me about the modeling competition. I just smile as she talks, because it feels so good to finally have her believe me. And maybe being Little Birdie isn’t such a bad thing after all. This is one of the first times I’ve felt in control of my own life, like I can handle what’s coming my way. Even though I don’t have a good enough singing voice for the musical I wanted so badly to be in, the most powerful voice in school is now at my disposal.
The only thing I can’t figure out is why it still feels like I swallowed a bundle of dynamite that’s just waiting for the right moment to explode.
Chapter 12
Ezra
“Oh, come on,” Rue says as we walk to class the next day, hand in hand. “It’s not that bad.” But itisthat bad. Every head we pass turns to follow us as we make our way through the halls. The corridor feels narrower than usual as we walk through it together, like the whole school suddenly decided to funnel into this one hallway just to watch us pass. I don’t know how she and her friends do this all the time.
“Everyone keeps staring,” I say in her ear. The sweet way she smells when I get close to her face gives me pleasant goosebumps I try to ignore.
She sighs. “You’ve never been stared at before? I find that hard to believe.”
“Why? Because I’m so handsome?”
Rue rolls her eyes.
I laugh. “Of course I’ve been stared at, Rue. I’m used to some attention, being a basketball player and all. But I can’t say I’ve ever had the same level of all these curious, and, like, awed stares as you and the rest of the theater crew probably get.”
“Until now,” she says.
“Right. Until now.”
She laughs lightly. “Well, it beats getting teased for being too quiet, at least.”
“Rue…” I slow us down and meet her gaze. How do I even begin to tell her how sorry I am? Yeah, she can smile now, but even her jokingly mentioning that day fills me with regret.
She pulls us forward toward the wooden staircase. “Come on. I can’t be late for class again, and if you’re going to linger, I’m leaving without you.”
She says that, but the tiny smile on her lips tells me she’s not going anywhere.
I walk her to class before heading to my own. But not before I hear Dot talking to Rue near the door as she’s coming in.
“You and Ezra seem cuddly,” she says.
Rue hesitates. “Yeah. We...uh, we are.”
I peek over my shoulder to see Dot nodding through the doorway. “To be honest, I’m happy you moved on from Carlton. He never deserved your attention.”
I arch an eyebrow, remembering everything Little Birdie said about Dot and Carlton at the beginning of the school year. Apparently, Carlton was pretty furious with Dot, and all because she got cast as the romantic lead to his biggest rival, Zayne. Then again, maybe Carlton was onto something, considering Dot and Zayne are now in a relationship.
Rue’s voice snaps me back to attention. “If anyone gets to say Carlton never deserved me, it’s you. But are you sure you’re not just biased?”
