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“Well, I don’t think you’re a joke,” he said. “And you know what? Everyone out in that hallway is just insanely jealous. I know the girls are for sure.”
“Thanks,” she said after a moment.
“For what?”
“For . . . talking to me,” she said with a laugh. “For being there for me.”
“Anytime,” he said softly. “We should look out for each other.”
“We?” Maddy asked, a little surprised.
“We,” he said. “You think I don’t know you, Maddy, but I do. You’re like me. I’ve felt that way ever since I first ordered a burger from you at the diner. I saw you standing behind the counter watching everyone and I could just tell that you and I, we’re so much alike. You feel like an outsider too, don’t you? Like we don’t fit into this glitziness that everyone is obsessed with. Like you see the world differently than everybody else?”
“I guess so,” Maddy said, feeling, for a moment, totally understood. That was exactly it. She had never felt like she fit in. Having it said out loud—and accepted—was liberating.
Ethan gave her a playful punch on the arm. “So we gotta stick together.”
“Okay,” Maddy replied, brightening, and smiled at him. Gwen might never speak to her again, but at least she had another friend in the world.
“I hope you haven’t forgotten my party tonight. We’re going to have food, drinks, a great playlist; I promise you’ll have a good time. And no Angels. So I’ll see you there?”
She had done it again. It was so easy to give him the wrong idea. Or—was it the wrong idea? How did she feel about him? Maddy gazed into his sincere, questioning eyes. Then she looked away.
“Ethan, you’ve been really cool to me. I’ve just been through so much lately, I don’t think it’s a good idea for me right now. I think I need to spend some time alone, get caught up on school, just put this disaster of a week behind me.” She paused as his expression fell. “You understand, right?”
“Sure,” he said, smiling to disguise his disappointment. “Well, if you change your mind, you know where I’ll be.” He rose and gave her a nod. “The famous Maddy Montgomery. See you around.”
Maddy listened to the echo of his departing steps.
• • •
After classes ended, she walked alone toward the front entrance of the school—where she spotted more paparazzi waiting impatiently for her outside. They had been joined by television crews, who were attempting to interview some of the students. Maddy couldn’t believe it. It was like a nightmare from which she couldn’t wake up.
Ducking quickly out the side door of the gym, Maddy cut through the baseball field. She decided as she walked home she would go in through the back door of the house, just in case. Then she could change into her uniform and use the rear entrance of the diner, as usual. With any luck, everyone would forget all about her in a few days time. Reaching the house, she slipped around to the back as planned and let herself in without a hitch.
She tiptoed into the kitchen—and froze.
Kevin was sitting at the table, waiting for her.
“You’re not at the diner,” Maddy stated, her breath catching in her throat.
“I need to talk to you, Maddy.”
Maddy’s heart thundered in her chest. She leaned on the kitchen counter for support.
“Okay?”
Kevin let out a long sigh. “I left you a message,” he said gruffly. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried. I was . . .” Kevin trailed off, drawing a deep breath to attempt to calm himself. “The phone company called and they wanted to confirm you added a new phone to your account? And now they’re charging me for data? And unlimited calling? And all kinds of other stuff you know we can’t afford?”
Maddy stood there, silent. Her mind racing.
“What have I told you, Maddy?” he said. “Homework and emergencies. Is that not clear? And what’s this about a new phone?”
She looked at his expectant gray eyes.
“Maddy, do you want to tell me what’s going on?”
How could she? How could she begin to explain any of it? Should she just tell him she had been going out with the same Angel who trashed his diner?
