He nods.
“Look. I don’t know what your deal is but Aaron is the only person who’s bothered being nice to me. I’m not going to stay away from him just because you say so.”
“Hey! We’ve been nice,” Emilio calls out.
I shrug. “You two have,” I say, signaling to him and Dom. “But he,” I point a finger in Roman’s direction. “along with the rest of this school, have been complete jerks.”
A tick forms on Roman’s jaw but I’m not having it. I might look the part of a meek little wallflower but I’m not one.
I storm off toward the school's exit, ignoring him as he calls after me.
FIVE
Allie
The week goes by in a blur. After that first day, Roman stopped playing guide and I was fine with it. Sure, I missed the glimmer of camaraderie we shared at lunch that first day, but I wasn’t looking for a replacement crew. Besides, he’s a brooding jerk anyway.
I ignore him whenever I see him in first period or in the halls, and the rest of the school—aside from Aaron—thankfully decides to ignore me now that they’ve realized hanging out with Roman and his crew isn’t going to be a repeat event.
Adjusting to life in Sun Valley is a new experience and it feels a lot like being trapped in purgatory. I see Gerald’s assistant more than I see him. She’s there every morning at half past seven, eager and willing to cart me off to school, though all week I’ve had to catch a rideshare to get home.
It would be easier if I just took the bus but the look on Janessa’s face when I’d made the suggestion made that an immediate no. The bus is beneath me. Seems fine for everyone else in this town but somehow an Uber is the classier, more refined choice.
Urgh.
I’m making my way out of my last class—eyes glued to my phone as I punch in the address of the school for a ride request—when Aaron calls out to me in the hallway.
“Hey.”
I slow my steps and wait for him to catch up.
“Hey.” I smile.
He tugs on the straps of his backpack, his skateboard strapped to the back of it, and a boyish smile on his face. “Got any plans this weekend?”
I shrug. “Not really. I’m still the new girl so I’ll probably just hang out at home and get caught up on homework.”
He nods and sucks on his upper lip. “Well, there’s a party this weekend. It’s sort of a pre-game tradition. A bunch of us go out in the woods and camp for the weekend before our big rival game against the Saints.”
“You’re into football?” I ask giving him a speculative look.
“Nah. But I’m into camping and partying so…” He shrugs.
“Oh. Cool,” I say, not really sure where he’s going with this.
He tilts his head, a question in his eyes, but I’m not sure what response he’s looking for. He runs a hand through his hair and shakes his head. “So, uh, would you maybe want to come? With me, I mean? I can pick you up if you’re cool with that…” He trails off and looks away, a slight blush on his cheeks.
Oh.Oh!“You’re inviting me?” I squeak out. As soon as the words leave my lips, I want to smack myself.
The corners of his mouth twitch into the beginning of a smirk. “Yeah. I think it’d be fun. If you came, I mean. I think you would have a lot of fun.”
I bite my bottom lip. I want to go. I could really use some fun in my life right now. And Aaron is the only person who talks to me, so I’m banking on him being my one and only friend while I’m stuck here. I don’t want to disappoint him by turning him down, but would Gerald even let me go? How would I even go about asking him? I haven’t seen him all week. Literally not once. He’s always working and his meetings seem to run late every night.
“Um….” I glance around the hallway and I catch sight of Roman, Emilio, and Dom. All three of them are standing by the exit with matching scowls on their faces as they watch our exchange. I still don’t know what their deal is with Aaron, but thankfully, this time they keep their distance.
Aaron follows my gaze and sees them, his grin quickly morphing into a grimace. “Are you into those guys?”
I’m a little thrown by his question. “What? No!” I rush to say.
