"Not really," she said. "We're in the same year. My parents know her parents, so they forced me to come. They want me to meet people. I think they're scared if I don't make friends before I graduate, then I never will."
After a beat, Scotlyn shrugged.
"They could be right."
"What about our writing group?"
She nodded. "I told them about that, but they were hoping for something that would take me away from writing. They already think I have too many books."
"My cousin, Charlotte, would say that's not possible," I said.
"I agree, but my parents... They think we sit around writing the whole time."
"We talk," I said.
"I know."
"And it's kind of social."
"I know." She sighed. "But not enough for them. Unfortunately."
A guy came barging in, looked around, spotted us then said, "Sorry, I was looking for the bathroom."
"One door down on the left," I said from memory.
"Thanks."
And he was gone, leaving the door to the library open again, but neither Scotlyn or I cared enough to get up and close it.
Looking back at Scotlyn, I confided, "I don't like parties either."
"Why not?" she asked.
"Because, and this is not something I tell everyone, so please don't share."
"I won't."
"No one came to my 14th birthday party." Her eyes widened, but I wasn't done. "Well, my cousins came, and they're the best anyway, so who cares, right? Except yeah, I invited a ton of people, and to have no one show? It was pretty awful."
"I bet," Scotlyn said.
"Wayne, my ex, dumped me at a party. In this house. After I found him cheating with another girl."
"No..."
I nodded. "Also, I got pooped on by a bird once as I was walking into a party, but that's supposed to be lucky. So, whatever."
Scotlyn's eyes were round when I finished.
"I forbid you to feel sorry for me," I said.
"Okay, but I am sorry that happened, Freya."
"I am too," said a voice, and at the entrance to the library, there stood Tolliver, leaning against the wall as if he'd been there a while. "I never got the invite, or I would've been there."
I shrugged. "It's okay. I didn't even know you then."
He shot me a smile. "Still. I would've come."
