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She narrows her eyes at me. “Not that you needed it.”
I was right. Can she see right through my act?
Clearing my throat, I shift from one foot to the other. I worked too hard to have everything crash and burn. Maybe it was a bad idea to join coding class. I just…I really want to enter the competition. According to the rules, the students entering need to be part of a coding class and have a mentor oversee their work.
I’m about to say something, but my phone buzzes. As I pull it out of my pocket to check who it is, Willow walks away, that backpack practically swallowing her up. I know it’s silly for me to worry about my friends finding out, but I am. Luckily, Willow and the other kids don’t hang out with my crowd, so I should be okay.
I read the group text from my friends asking me if I’m done with the nerd class. As far as they’re concerned, I’m taking this class because I’m missing a few credits in order to pass my junior year.
Colt: Yeah, just finished the class. You guys at Mikey’s?
It’s a pretty popular hangout for high school kids. My friends and I usually go there after school. Vanessa and her friends used to hang out there as well, but ever since we broke up, it’s like we’re divided. Even though my guys have girlfriends who are friends with Vanessa, they stick with me and bounce between both groups. Some couples have broken up because of what happened, though.
I never realized the kind of impact our relationship had on the rest of our friends. Honestly, I didn’t really think it was that big of a deal until we broke up and everyone started talking about us.
Owen: Yep. Saved you a seat.
Colt: Is Vanessa there?
Vince: You’re right, O. He’s got it bad. Man, Colt, just forget about her and meet someone new.
Not going to happen. I know she’s the right one for me, so why should I search for a new girlfriend?
Knox: If you’re gonna be a buzzkill all night, don’t bother showing up.
Mario: Dude, that was a dagger to the heart. You should come, C. Take your mind off her.
I frown as I read their words. Am I in the mood to be social right now? As much as I miss Vanessa, I don’t want to mope around. And I certainly don’t want to go home to an empty house.
I’ve worked hard to be where I am today and my thirteen-year-old self would kill me for throwing it all away because of a breakup.
After getting in my car that’s parked in the student lot, I make my way to Mikey’s Diner. I spot my friends at a table in the back. It looks like Vanessa and her friends aren’t here.
“King Colton!” Owen calls as he and the others whistle and cheer for me to get my butt there. Mario kicks out a chair for me and Vince passes over a plate of fries.
“Hey, guys.” I drop down on the chair, grab a handful of fries, and chomp them down.
“How was nerd class?” Knox asks with a chortle.
I don’t let those snarky comments get to me. They just don’t understand coding or anything tech-related, so I can’t blame them for thinking it’s nerdy.
I wave my hand. “Was good.”
Mario blinks at me. “Good?”
I shrug. “Easy, you know?”
“Got a nerd to do the work for ya, huh?” Owen says. “My man Andersen!”
I force a smile as everyone laughs around me, then busy myself with my fries.
“So we figured the best way for you to get over Vanessa is to date someone new,” Vince tells me. “We made a list of the hottest girls at school. And some babes from Silverton Academy, too.”
I don’t even look at his phone as he passes it to me. Just keep shoving more fries into my mouth. I shouldn’t have come. But it beats going home.
Mario places his hand on my shoulder. “Come on, man. Vanessa wasn’t the only hot girl at school. There is…”
He starts listing all the pretty girls they think are perfect for me. Guys like them are okay with having a new girl every month, but I don’t want that.
