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I shook my head as I parked in the small parking lot on the side of the building.
“You’re gonna love it,” she said, opening her door before I even switched off the engine.
I wasn’t sure I’d love it. But I wouldn’t mind spending two and half hours alone with her in a dark theater. I opened my door and stepped out. Grace was already at my side, slipping her hand into mine. “Best first date ever,” she said.
I laughed. “It hasn’t even started yet.”
“It couldn’t get any better,” she assured me.
Oh no? If that was a challenge, I was most definitely up for it.
CHAPTER 28
Grace
My phone pinged with birthday wishes from people back home. I reveled in the messages knowing no one in Windham would be wishing me a happy anything. Except maybe Seren, who knew my birthday was today. But he wasn’t waiting in the driveway and he wasn’t in English class.
My phone vibrated in my pocket during third period. I slipped it out and finally received a text from Seren.Happy Birthday, Grace. Meet me in the treehouse tonight at eight.
I didn’t even try to conceal the smile that slipped across my lips as my finger lingered over the thumbs-up emoji. Was that too informal given Seren had reserved anentiremovie theater for us to seePride and Prejudice? I honestly nearly died when I saw the marquee. For all his faults, Seren was a thoughtful guy who didn’t half-ass anything. And, despite what I expected, he behaved himself during the movie, only trying to make out during Mr. Collins’ scenes. He knew better than to interrupt any scene with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. Still, I settled for a thumbs-up response.
During lunch, I replied to all the other texts while I ate in my car.
Any new developments with psycho bitch?Holly asked.
None. Thankfully.
I’ll be at your school in an hour flat to beat her ass.Holly fired back.Just say the word.
I laughed.
Do I need to beat a bitch’s ass today?Laney texted.
I laughed and replied.Not so far. But laying low so my bday isn’t ruined.
Laney texted back with a kiss-blowing emoji.Miss you.
Miss you more.I replied.
I hurried back into school. I walked into gym class for my last class, so happy to be almost done for the day. I’d avoided the locker room since the video, opting to take the zero like the rest of the girls who didn’t change for gym class. I was already admitted to Tampa. A lower gym grade wasn’t going to affect that.
I sat down on the outdoor bleachers while people played flag football or walked laps around the track. I skimmed my email, checking to see if there was any word on the internship. But like every other day, there was nothing yet.
“I seriously thought it would be more entertaining to watch the bitch wither away and die,” Kiki said as she and her friend walked by me.
I kept my eyes down, knowing she wanted me to hear her.
“What? No bodyguards to talk for you?” Kiki asked, stopping in front of me.
I lifted my eyes, all the while telling myself not to get into it with her. This was my day, and she was not going to ruin it.
“Where’d you find those two gutter dwellers?” she continued while her friend snickered beside her.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?”
“You heard me.”
“Nope. Not a word.”
