He reaches into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet.
“On the house,” I say.
“Thanks,” he says, perplexed.
“The fountain is broken.” I point to our depressing water fountain near the exit. It’s been out of service for at least three years now. “It’s the least I could do.”
“Thanks,” he repeats, hoisting the water bottle up in the air, and then strutting out the exit with his duffel bag hanging over his shoulder. Two of his friends follow him out.
“That’s coming out of your paycheck, missy!” my stepmother hisses.
Shit. I forgot that she was right there.Oh well. It’s a statement I hear almost daily now. Maybe someday I’ll earn enough to make a decent paycheck to move out.
Chapter Five
Ella
My eyes glance around the dining hall, taking in the sights of all the students eating and laughing over their dinner.
I twirl my fork around the spaghetti on my plate, taking another bite, and ignoring the fact that I’m one of the only students sitting by myself right now. Cami’s stuck working on a group project and wasn’t available, so I’m left eating alone tonight. I know a few familiar faces in the sea of tables, but I haven’t had any real conversations with anyone lately, except for a man I’ve never actually met.
I pull up my phone and swipe out a text.
BBUGirl: Do you ever feel like you don’t belong?
SoloSurfer: All the time.
BBUGirl: That’s right. You’re solo. How could I forget?
SoloSurfer: Maybe I want to change that.
BBUGirl: ???
SoloSurfer: The hockey guys are throwing a Halloween party soon
SoloSurfer: Meet me there?
I inhale a breath.
Do I want to go?
Yes.
Should I go?
I don’t know. Even if I wanted to go, how could I possibly? I barely have enough time to message SoloSurfer during the day, not to mention spend actual time with a human other than my classmates or Cami.
I exhale and type back before I can overthink it.
BBUGirl: Maybe
SoloSurfer: Maybe?
BBUGirl: Yeah, you need to give a girl some details first
SoloSurfer: Ok, fair enough
SoloSurfer: It’s at the hockey house on Halloween night
