And not just about that. I can’t deny any longer that I love Rue. So much. Somewhere between pretending and now, I fell for her so hard, I don’t even want to pick myself back up.
And that’s the part that’s worrying me. Even though I’m pretty confident she likes me, I have no clue how deep her feelings for me run. Last night after I kissed her, she seemed a little shaken.
When her alarm went off, and she put her phone back in her pocket, her face was flushed in such an adorable way, I couldn’t help but laugh. “You look so worried, like it’s after midnight or something.”
Her gaze jumped to mine, but she looked more like a deer in headlights than amused as I hoped. “Actually, I probably should be getting home.”
“Okay. No problem.”
I got her out of there and took her home. Even though I secretly hoped for another kiss when I walked her to her door, I didn’t mention it because her hands were slightly trembling, and I didn’t want to pressure her if she wasn’t ready. I’ll move at a turtle pace with Rue if it means we can keep exploring what’s between us. Well, I already know how I feel, but knowing Rue, she probably needs time to figure it out.
As long as we’re done with all the faking, I’m happy either way.
A Little Birdie alert goes off as soon as I step through the front doors of Fallbrook on Thursday morning.
Dearest Fledglings,
It seems your fearless flapper has taken flight only to leave behind a rather interesting trail. After a missed posting deadline last night (tsk, tsk), the nest has opened itself to reveal the identity of our most observant little bird. Drumroll, please!
Rue Sullivan.
Yes, this person has been the one watching you all along. Listening. Writing. Posting. Let’s hope the next flapper does better by its fledglings, otherwise I fear you shall see this automated message again, revealing the next identity.
Yours truly,
Little Birdie
The world tilts. My ears ring so loud I can barely hear the hallway anymore.
No. Rue is Little Birdie? There’s no way…
All around me, gasps and laughter echo through the corridors. Conversations ring in my ears, and I catch brief snippets.
“Oh my gosh?—”
“I knew it?—”
“Wait, seriously??”
I can’t breathe, and every instinct screams at me that of course she was. I even guessed it myself at one point. And she lied to me. She denied it.
I can’t deny I feel a little stung, but at the same time, I know why she did it. I need to find her, though, because I can only imagine the chaos that’s about to erupt at this reveal.
Speed-walking through the corridors, I find her standing in the center of a small crowd near the library. The commotion filling the corridors is almost physical. Heavy. Suffocating. It presses into my ribs like I can’t expand my lungs all the way. Rue is in the center of it, and her friends are all there, and while Carlton is hanging back with crossed arms and a scowl, the other three—Meredith, Mabel, and Dot—are hurling question after question at her.
“You wrecked my relationship,” says Meredith.
Rue sniffs. “I know, and I’m so sorry. I was just trying to help you. I thought Carlton was cheating, and I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
“You should have talked to me!” Meredith fires back. “Not blasted it to the entire school!”
Mabel shakes her head, staring at the ground. She hugs her arms like she’s trying to comfort herself.
“I just can’t believe this, Rue. Please, tell us it’s not true,” says Dot.
But she doesn’t. Rue just gapes at her friends with red-rimmed eyes. Her lips are slightly parted like she wants to speakbut has no idea what to say. I’ve seen this look on her face before. It’s the exact same look she had when my friends made fun of her in middle school, and I stood by watching. It’s also the look she wore when Meredith accused her of trying to steal Carlton at Dot’s party before I stepped in and claimed to be her boyfriend. It’s like a stab to the chest seeing it a third time, and I know with everything in me that even though she lied, even though what she did was wrong, there’s no way I’m going to stand by and watch again. I need to step in like I did before.
“Enough.” My voice cuts through the commotion like a blade. Rue’s gaze jumps to mine, and her shoulders relax a fraction. Her relief is all the confirmation I need to continue defending her. When I reach her side, I don’t hesitate. I step in front of Rue, between her and everyone else like a shield. “Back off,” I say, voice low but firm.
