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“What’s wrong with you? You two are sitting here flirting over ketchup, and you said no?”
“We weren’t flirting,” I stammer.
“Sure.” She rolls her eyes, unconvinced.
“I don’t think Bec is capable of flirting,” Caleb says.
Sadie laughs. “Now, that’s the Becca I know. But still.” She aims her big blue eyes at me. “Do you realize how long I dreamed of having a date to a dance?”
That’s right. She never got to go with Ethan. A rock sinks into my stomach.
“Then why don’t you go with Caleb?”
She glares. “Because he askedyou.”
“Sadie?” I say, desperate to change the subject.
“Yes?”
“Do you want to pass your test or not?”
“Of course I do,” she says
I push the book closer to her. “Then let’s get back to work.”
She takes a deep breath, letting it out in the most dramatic way possible. “Fine.”
We study for the next hour while Caleb eats his soup and talks with me every time Sadie gets up to work. I don’t know how much is actually sticking in her mind. All the distractions are driving me up the wall. The chatter around us and the constant movement is making my skin crawl. I need peace and quiet to learn. Hopefully, Sadie is the opposite. For the most part, she seems to be keeping up, but we’ll see if she remembers any of it tomorrow.
“What time is your dad picking you up?” Caleb asks as he scrapes the bowl with his spoon to get the last bit of soup.
“I haven’t heard from him yet,” I say. Not one notification has popped up on my screen, and I start to dread the idea of Dad forgetting about me again. Is he out somewhere drinking again? I thought he was improving. I thought he saw me again.
I send a quick text and set my phone off to the side. Nerves flood through me as I wait for his reply . . . or lack thereof. My phone buzzes a moment later.
Dad:
Sorry, but I won’t be able to go to the movies today. Something came up.
I rub my temples. He can’t be serious.
What happened?
Your Mom needs help with something, but I’ll make it up to you.
“What’s wrong?” Caleb asks.
I shake my head and refuse to make eye contact. “He’s not coming.”
“Why not?”
I bite my cheek, hoping the sting will distract my tears from wanting to plow down my face. Then, I start shoving my things into my backpack.
Sadie comes back to our table. “Sorry about that.” She pauses, eyes following my erratic movements. “What happened?”
I slide off the bench and brush past her.
Caleb jumps up, following close behind. “It’s her dad,” he whispers to Sadie as he passes her.
