Ruby Jane shoots me a dirty look. “Well, we need to get home. Lots of catching up to do.”
“I’ll see you this weekend for my shower and girl’s night out.” I smile at the pair of them.
The minute they are out the door, I haul ass to my room so I can fall apart in private.
I’ve not really had a good cry over a boy since…well I skip right over that memory and think back on another one. One not quite as painful.
Flashback
“Hey, Fancy, are you crying?”
I look around me, not seeing anyone in particular. There has only ever been one person to call me Fancy. A smile creeps across my face. Jameson. It’s been a while since I have seen him. He went back to live with his mom last year leaving me on my own. I figured that was the last I would ever see of him. I left for a while myself. I ended up going to live with my Dad and Barb. Her name makes me cringe. She is a total step-monster. My dad couldn’t handle our constant fighting and sent me back to my Nana.
Barb couldn’t handle my obsession with death. She called me a freak. Her and my Dad got in this huge fight. My therapist says I have unresolved feelings over my mother dying while giving birth to me. I guess I feel guilty about it or something. I don’t know why I am so curious about dying. I just know I find it interesting. But maybe a part of his assessment is correct, I’ve always felt if it weren’t for my being born, my Dad never would’ve lost my Mom.
“No.” I wipe the tears from my eyes, though I really was just crying. I am probably overreacting and being all emotional because last week I finally started my period. “Where’s Ruby Jane?”
I smile instantly at the sight of Jameson talking to me. “Gone to her dad’s place for the summer. I think he is going to keep her permanently. My Mom has had a rough time of it lately again and sent Ruby Jane off. I am supposed to be working for my Uncle this summer. I’m cutting grass to save up to help out at home with the bills. Now you gonna tell me why you were cryin' or not?” He has cut his hair, I just noticed. Now it is short on the sides and still long on the top hanging in his eyes.
“You'll laugh at me.” I know he will. It so stupid to get upset over a dumb boy, especially Josh Westmore.
“Out with it, Fancy, do I need to go kicking someone’s ass.”
“Language, Jameson, you are in the presence of a lady.” I laugh mocking horror on my face.
“Who hurt my Fancy?” My eyes catch his when he says my. He thinks I am his Fancy. That makes me feel special.
I fidget, debating how much I should tell him. My fingers are twisting anxiously in my lap. “No one worth mentioning. I was supposed to meet this guy here and he is always blowing me off for his friends.” So lame. I don’t know why I keep agreeing to hang with Josh…but I do.
“He doesn't know what he’s missing, I’d much rather hang out with a pretty girl like you.”
I blush.
He called me pretty.
Jameson thinks I’m pretty.
“Still got your nose buried in books I see.”
“Not always.”
“Yeah, right.” He snorts, throwing his head back knowing he is right. He takes up the seat beside of me, smashing my paperback.
“Hey, watch the book. You are going to ruin it.” I go to reach for it, but he stops me, grabbing my hand and holding it. I hope my palm isn’t sweaty.
“My bad.” He pulls it out from under him. He snatches it away a few times, teasing me, before finally giving it back. He laughs finding amusement in torturing me with my book.
“What’s this one about?” He motions to my paperback.
“These two teens who both have cancer. The boy totally bites it after doing all this romantic stuff for her.”
“That’s morbid. Which is probably why you like it, huh?” He shakes his head.
“They made it into a movie, it will make you cry so you had better not watch it,” I tease him.
“Hey, will you be around tomorrow?”
“Yeah, why?” My eyes narrow on his, wondering what he’s up to.