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I slammed my locker shut. “That’s none of your business.”
“Stay away from him.”
“Yes, brother.”
“I mean it. He’s trouble. I heard his dad was at Nicky’s Tavern the other night, ranting and raving. Owners had to call the cops to take him home.”
“Oh, his dad’s alive?” I said. “I thought Isaac had killed him.”
Justin shook his head. “Okay, if that’s how you want it. I’m done with you.” He started to go, then turned back. “You know, since you were the new girl and all, hanging around with a bunch of losers, I took pity on you. What a fucking waste of money.”
“We offered to chip in. Remember? How much do I owe you?”
How, exactly, did you want me to pay you back?
He stared, then turned away with a disgusted snort and joined the group of girls formerly known as the Plastics. Their heads leaned in, then fell back in loud laughter. The girls’ eyes widened over his shoulder at me, with mock pity.
Great. By lunch, I’d be the crazy girl who freaked out at the dance. I didn’t think Justin was mean enough to make it worse than that, but who knew? I hurried to English class, wishing I could skip the day and get to rehearsal where I could be someone else for a little while.
“How are you holding up?” Angie asked as I slid into my seat. “You look tired.” Today’s t-shirt was white with black lettering: If you don’t have something nice to say…we have a lot in common.
“I’m great,” I said. “Considering the guy my dad wants me to hook up with is a complete douchebag and the guy I want to see is literally forbidden.”
Angie’s jaw dropped open. “Really? Isaac? You want to see him, see him?”
“Shh. I don’t know. Maybe. It’s so stupid because he’s leaving Harmony in a couple of months. But I can’t stop thinking about him. He doesn’t make me feel trapped.”
“Trapped by what?”
I plucked at the long sleeve of my dark green shirt. Underneath, a new army of little black X’s marched along my forearm. “Nothing in particular,” I said. “I just don’t like feeling pressured by guys. And I don’t feel that from him. At all.”
“Holy shit,” Angie said. “Do you think he’s into you? He has to be, right? Picking you up in your time of need…?”
And dancing with me.
I played every detail over and over in my mind while curled up on my floor in a blanket, waiting for sleep that wouldn’t come.
“I’m sorry I ruined your night,” I said.
“It’s—”
“I know, I know. You told me over the phone it wasn’t a big deal. But I need to tell you in person. I’m trying to get better at this whole being-a-good-friend thing.”
“You’re doing all right, Holloway.”
Her eyes dropped to my notebook where hundreds more little black X’s crawled all along the margins.
She frowned, a fingertip tapping the paper. “What’s all this about?”
“Nothing. Just doodles,” I said. “Hey, did you start your poem yet? The one Paulson assigned us last week?”
“Yes,” Angie said slowly, “I’ve been toying around with this one, tell me what you think. Roses are red, violets are blue, when you’re ready to talk, I’m here for you.” Her bright smile dimmed with sadness. “Okay?”
I nodded and whispered, “Okay.”
While eating lunch, my phone pinged an incoming text. Isaac’s name and number flashed on the display, making my heart pound and my stomach flutter.
Hey, had a question about rehearsal tonight. RU free to talk?
