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We manage to make several more bubbles before the bell rings and by the time we exit class, I feel a million times better than I did when I entered it.
And while the thought of Lulu and Alec’s relationship still lingers in the back of my mind, it doesn’t feel quite as overwhelming as it did earlier.
If they are going to be together, there isn’t a thing I can do about it. And I’m only hurting myself by being angry at everyone for it. Lulu is my best friend. And now, Alec is a friend as well. All I want is for them to be happy. Even if that means I have to suck it up and watch it happen.
——
“Hey.” Bella slidesup next to me in the hallway on my way out of school, her shiny strands of black hair pulled back into a low pony.
“Hey.” I throw her a sideways glance as I readjust the strap of my new book bag on my shoulder. It’s not as nice as my last one, but it’s not broken, which is really the most important thing. “I forgot you have gym last period,” I say, gesturing to her loose-fitting t-shirt and soccer style shorts.
“Beats having it toward the beginning of the day. At least this way I can go home and shower afterward.”
“This is true. Although, had you done your gym credits freshman and sophomore year like the rest of us, you wouldn’t have to worry about it at all.”
“What can I say? I procrastinate the things I don’t want to do. You’ve seen me. I’m about the least athletic person on the planet.”
“You’re not that bad.” I laugh.
“Yes, I am. But you’re sweet to say so.” Bella smiles, the action crinkling her little nose.
Bella is a very pretty girl. Not in a Lulu, drop dead gorgeous, kind of way, but more of a classic beauty. Dark hair. Pale skin. Petite, with delicate features.
Although, she definitely shares Lulu’s love of all things trendy and hip. Must be a pretty girl thing. Hell, just last week she spent two months’ worth of paychecks on a purse that looks almost exactly like the one I bought at Walmart for five dollars. I’ll never understand spending that kind of money for nothing more than the name. The quality of the purse is no better than my cheap one.
“You okay? You left lunch pretty quickly earlier.”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just forgot I signed up to help out in the office today.”
“Forgot to the point that you never even signed up.” She gently elbows me. “I knew something was off when you left the table so I went to the office to check on you. Guess who wasn’t there...” She gives me a knowing look.
“I, um...” I struggle to come up with another lie to cover my original one, but I can’t seem to come up with one single thing to say.
“You like him.” She doesn’t elaborate, and it’s not a question.
“Who?” I question, trying to come across clueless.
“Don’twhome.” She comes to a stop next to the blue Civic my mom passed down to me last year. She waits until I’ve dropped my book bag into the backseat and slammed the door shut before continuing. “Alec.”
“Alec?” I snort out a laugh like it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all week.
“You’re not nearly as good at masking your emotions as you think you are. Maybe Lulu can’t see it because she doesn’t want to. And Gretch? She’s too self-absorbed to really notice anyway, but me? I’m not so easily fooled.”
“I don’t know what you think you know, Bella, but it’s not like that.”
“You know,” she cuts me off before I can continue, “I’ve stood by for the last five years and watched you compromise what you want for Lucy. Forgive me for saying so, but if you like Alec, maybe you shouldn’t sit back and let her take another thing from you.”
“What are you talking about? Lulu hasn’t taken anything from me.”
“No?” She arches a brow. “So she didn’t decide untilafteryou announced that you wanted to run for student body president to enter her name? And then when you backed out, so did she?” She holds up a finger, counting as she goes. “And she didn’t decide that she wanted to try out for the role of Dorothy theveryday you put your name down to try out?” She holds up a second finger.
“That was eighth grade.”
“And when you had a crush on Maverick Ames Freshman year, Lulu thought it would be a good idea to ask him out anyway.” A third finger up.
“I told her I didn’t care.”
“And when she decided to try out for the same volleyball team as you, and she made it over you, even though she said she only wanted to play because you did.” Another finger.
