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Nick
The weight room is the closest to cheating you’ll get in gym class. That’s why they only let seniors choose it more than once per semester. They don’t care what we do anymore, so we mostly just sit on machines, talk, and occasionally actually work out. Even when we do, we can just set the machine to the lowest weight or resistance. Don’t get me wrong, I like staying active and working out, but gym class is boring. And pointless. It’s not like it makes you actually give a shit about your health.
“Hey.”
I look up in time to see Rae sit down next to me. My brow immediately furrows.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You didn’t call me Nicholas Asshole. Must mean something’s wrong.”
“I don’t always call you that.”
I hold back a laugh. “Nope, just on days that end in ‘y.’”
She shoves her elbow against me. “Shut up.”
“Seriously, Rae, what’s up?”
She doesn’t say anything, she just glances across the weight room to where her best friend, Aaron Cooper, is standing with his girlfriend—Caity—and Trevor.
I cock one eyebrow as I look back at her. “Really? Took you long enough to figure it out.”
She scowls at me, then her eyes go back to him. “I—I thought we were heading toward being together, but then… a lot changed this summer. Now he’s with her—”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Nick.”
“I’m serious. He’s not in love with her. Because he’s in love with—”
“Don’t.”
“He is, Rae.”
“How do you know that? It sure as hell doesn’t look that way.”
“Maybe it’s not obvious, but he does. You wanna know how I know?” I bump her arm and nod toward them. “Just watch.”
We watch for a moment and see Aaron touch Caity’s waist. “See how his hand is resting there but not actually pressing into her? When he’s around you, he’s all over you—arm around your shoulder, hand around your back, pulling you toward him. It’s like the touch isn’t enough. He has to have you closer.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Okay. Keep going.”
“She’s talking right now, and he’s listening, but he’s not engaged. When he’s with you, he hangs on every word out of your mouth.”
My stomach warms as I think of Leigh. How Aaron acts with Rae is how Vince acts with Maia. How I am with Leigh. It’s like everything she says is the most important thing I could ever hear. She captivates me, no matter what she’s doing.
Rae looks away as she watches Caity stand and take Aaron’s hand.
“Don’t,” I say. “Look closer. Their hands are barely intertwined. It’s like he’s tolerating it but not seeking it. When you touch him, his gaze turns to you, his body moves toward you. Every single time.”
She sighs dramatically, lifting the bangs off her head.
“You’re ridiculous.”
“Well, come on, tell me more, Nicholas Asshole.”
