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He’s right. I know him… and it could turn out to be the worst thing that ever happened to me.
N I N E
Gone
My favorite part of the day has always been when it ends. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve never particularly hated school, nor have I ever particularly liked it, but I always loved that feeling of knowing that you’re done for the day and going home. I walk toward the exit with Kass. My cousin’s words sound distant although she is right beside me. She’s been going on for the past five minutes about how Mr. Stevens, her art teacher, is completely nuts, but I can’t seem to focus.
He wasn’t in class today.
Or yesterday.
Or the day before that.
I know I shouldn’t care or even notice, but the only empty desk in the class was pretty dang hard to ignore. Especially when it’s been three days since he gave me any sign of life. He said, “See you at school,” didn’t he? I think he needs to work on his definition of “see you.” It usually requires both people being in the same place.
I haven’t texted him. If he wanted to talk to me, he would. I’m guessing the sight of me with a helmet stuck on my head finally did the trick and he lost interest.
“Are you even listening to me?” Kass waves her hand in front of my eyes.
“I’m sorry, I was…” I begin but then realize I have no idea what I could possibly say to her. I was thinking about Haze? “What were you saying?”
She picks up from the start, but I stop listening again, barely two words in.
Tonight I get to see Kendrick for the first time since he got beat up by Tanner. The guys said he looked better. Or at least, less awful. Will’s supposed to be waiting for me in front of the school so we can ride to Blake’s place together.
I still can’t believe that Kendrick convinced Maria to justify his absence for four days while he’s staying with his depressed “girlfriend.” He promised that the guys—who he shares every class with—would bring his homework over every day.
I think she’s either blinded by the hope that her son might actually be in love and ready to walk a straight line, or she knows a lot more than she lets on.
“So, what do you think?” Kass finishes her speech, and her gaze shifts to me.
“Uh…” I have no idea what she’s going on about. “You’re right. That sounds great.”
“Really?” She bounces up and down in excitement. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Damn it. What did I just agree to?
“I know you had a crappy experience last time, but it’s different since it’s a pool party, and I promise I’ll stick with you all night long. I just need to get my mind off some things.”
Great. I agreed to a party.
God knows the last one went so well.
I do understand why she wants me to come though. Kass’s friends, Morgan and Zoey, aren’t exactly party animals. I eat lunch with them and Kass regularly, and although they’re great, they seriously need to learn to loosen up. Morgan is hell-bent on getting into a great school, which I completely understand, and Zoey has been in a relationship for three years now.
This leaves Kass to fend for herself in the single world.
“Where did you say it is?” I ask.
“I didn’t. It’s at Natasha’s house—you’ve might’ve heard of her? She’s a friend of Bianca. Redhead, tall, gorgeous.”
Natasha. I know where I heard that name before. She’s the girl who hit on Haze at the diner last weekend. But why would she hit on him if she’s friends with Bianca? Wouldn’t she know that Bianca’s crazy in love with him? That’s harsh.
“Does she go here?” I analyze my surroundings, looking for her ginger hair in the moving crowd.
“Nah. She’s in a private school. Rich daddy and all.”
I nod. We reach the front door and walk out, pushed around by the students who are all as eager as I am to get this day over with.
