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“I heard that you and Evan…”
“Yeah, I guess.” I helped myself to a sandwich and a juice carton.
“That’s great. You two were good together, and you know he only did what he did to—”
“I know.” I cut her off. I didn’t want to get into it again.
“So, how have you been?” She waited for me to pay, and we walked out together. A few people watched with interest, probably looking for Evan, but he’d texted me last period to say he’d see me after school.
“I’m okay.” This was awkward, and it was all my fault. Lilly had been a good friend, and I’d pushed her away. “Look, Lilly, I owe you an apology…”
“No, you don’t.” She smiled wider. “I’m just glad you’re back.”
I frowned. Was I… back?
“And where is Evan?”
I followed her out of the cafeteria and into the courtyard. It wouldn’t be long before it was too cold to sit outside, but I couldn’t imagine eating lunch with hundreds of eyes staring in my direction every day.
“He’s, uh…” I had no idea. “He got called in to see the guidance counselor.”
I didn’t know why I lied. It just rolled off my tongue. To be honest, I was still pretty blindsided by the whole ‘going public’ thing.
“Oh man, the dreaded ‘your future awaits’ talk. I swear Miss Panagon has no clue. Like most of us will be going anywhere other than Credence Community College.”
Jay waved Lilly over, and she shot me an uncertain glance. “Do you want to join us?”
My eyes ran over the small group. Jay, Vin, and Scarlett all sat huddled around the table arguing over a box of fries. Mischa and Eric were there as well, too engrossed in one another to notice the food fight going on around them. I hadn’t seen them around much lately.
“I don’t know, Lilly.”
“Come on.” She elbowed me playfully. “I know they’ve missed you. Especially Vin.” Lilly laughed, and surprisingly, I found myself smiling along with her.
“Okay.” It wasn’t like I had anywhere else to go, and with Evan MIA, I could use the company.
“New girl, what gives?” Vin flashed me a goofy smile, patting the space beside him. Lilly wedged herself between Jay and Scarlett, leaving me no choice but to sit by Vin.
“Hey.”
“Good to see you, Becca,” Jay said through a mouthful of food, earning him an elbow to the ribs from Lilly.
“You and Porter, huh? I gotta say, Becca, I did not see that one coming.” Vin sounded completely sincere while the rest of us gaped openly at him. He shrugged his shoulders. “What?”
“You’re joking, right?” Scarlett scoffed. “They’ve been sneaking around since she got here.”
His eyes snapped over in my direction, burning into the side of my head. “For real? I thought it was a one-time deal or something.”
Scarlett groaned, face planting on the table while Jay snickered and Lilly hushed him. It was Mischa who came to my defense. “Leave them alone. It’s cute.”
Vin scoffed. “I never stood a chance, did I?”
“Ya think?” Scarlett was looking right at Vin now. “It’s good to have you back.” She turned her gaze on me, a hint of a smile on her lips.
“Thanks.” Maybe we still needed to have it out and clear the air, but for now, it felt like enough.
“You know, while I’m not against the two of you going public, you know she’s going to step up her game now, right?”
I bowed my head, pretending to be unwrapping my sandwich, not wanting my face to betray me. Kendall never quit. She’d just lulled me into a false sense of security. I should have known better. But it didn’t change anything. If I didn’t give her power, she would be nothing more than an irritating whisper in my ear. That was all.
