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Madison is sitting on the sofa, so I sit beside her. “So…Madison. How was your first day of school?”
How was school? I sound like a parent.
She shrugs and gives me a tight smile.
“I had one of those days too. My old friends were being dicks, and some shit that went down over the weekend went viral, I guess. I wish it was something good, but nope, just another thing that was shit. But…they had pizza, so my day wasn’t all bad. And now I get to meet you.”
I can’t believe I just said all that out loud. I was trying to make her feel more comfortable, but I kinda just spewed all my problems onto her.
“My friend Bella didn’t talk to me all day. She sat at Everly Walker’s table,” Madison whispers as she plays with the hem of her sundress.
“Who is Everly Walker?” I ask, hoping she’ll continue while the other three chat about the upcoming football season.
“She’s the most popular girl, and now Bella doesn’t want to be seen with me. I don’t know why she would want to sit there. Those girls are mean. They always picked on us in middle school, and now she’s one of them.”
Oh, shit.
“For real? Bella sounds like she’s a bitch to just ditch you like that. That’s not a true friend if she chooses popularity over you.”
“Are you serious, Mads? Bella ditched you?” Asher says from where he now stands next to us, sounding furious.
Madison nods, and the way her big brown eyes look up at her brother warms my heart. She’s a girl who trusts her brother has always got her back.
“You should have come told me. You can sit with us for lunch. I’ll see if I can get my schedule changed so you can.”
That’s the best idea. “I bet Asher sits with all the footballers too. She’ll be jealous that you know them. The mean girls will want to come sit with you and be friends with you. And you can just tell them to leave.”
Asher shakes his head. “I meant so she wasn’t alone, Mila. But yeah, the team all sits together.” He sticks his hands in his front pockets. “I knew she was up to something. Bella tried to ask me out over summer. I didn’t want to tell you, and I had no interest in her in that way. I hope she isn’t being like this because I told her no.”
Madison shook her head. “I told her you would say no. You never date anyone.”
Asher laughs. “’Cause who would want to deal with dating me? Football is my life right now. I don’t have time for a girlfriend.” Asher sits back on the sofa beside me and stretches his long legs out in front…they’re so muscular. Shit, look away.
“Now I wish I was going to your school. I would sit with you. I have no friends to sit with at lunch either.” Then I laugh, remembering the students I was sitting with inching away. “I’m the school’s pariah, and I wish I was making it up, but I’m not. I’m sure you’ll make new friends by the end of the week.”
After dinner, Dad asks if we want dessert. Madison wants chocolate ice cream, and I want cookies and cream. We agree that we should go out and get some, but before we can leave, Madison gets a call from Bella. I think Bella might be apologizing, so Madison is in my bedroom so they can talk in private.
Dad and Kate are snuggling on the couch and watching an old football game, of all things. My dad and football, such a romantic. It makes me smile. This was my life growing up… Everything was football.
“Can you two go get the ice cream?” Dad asks.
Asher grabs his mom’s keys. “Sure, want anything?”
They both shake their heads and start kissing and whispering. I’m a little grossed out by that. It’s something I’ll need to get used to but…like, get a room.
Asher grabs my arm and gestures with his head to the front door. “Come on, let’s get out of here before we have to see any more of that.”
I snort. “How much have you had to put up with?”
“You don’t wanna know. Like, let’s just say…I have seen your dad in just his underwear. I had to bleach my eyes.”
I burst out laughing, and he shakes his head and covers his eyes. But he has a huge smile.
“I had once seen Malcolm, my stepfather, naked when I was getting a late-night snack. I had to burn my eyes out after that one.” I shiver at the memory. “So gross and wrinkly.”
It’s now Asher’s turn to chuckle. “Okay, you had it worse.”
On the way to the ice cream parlor, I learn more about Asher. He’s a junior like me, he’s sixteen, seventeen in October, and he plays for the Kings of Lakeview Prep as a wide receiver.
