I’m halfway down the hall when I hear her voice. “Crew!”
My feet stop moving, but I don’t turn around. Shoulders drawn, I drop my head back and close my eyes, waiting for her to catch up.
Once she does, she starts poking again. “What the hell is going on?” Her hand lands on my shoulder and she turns me around to face her. My head comes down and I open my eyes, a blank expression on my face. “Baby, tell me what’s bothering you?”
I could just lay it all out there. Tell her I know something is going on with her and Jagger and that she broke her promise to let me know if and when that time came.
My only response is a deep exhale, so she tries again. “Is this about Jagger?”
Finally, she mentions his name. Maybe we’re getting somewhere, after all.
“Why would it be about Jagger? Is there something you need to tell me?”
“Actually,” she bites the corner of her lip, and I’m sure it’s a tactic to soften the blow, “there is something I need to tell you. I was planning to wait until this whole thing with Melody blew over, but it’s been gnawing at me the last couple days.”
“All right,” I say, tone flat, “out with it.”
Here it comes.The truth that I can’t deny. She’s fallen for him and I’m history.
“This really isn’t the place. But as soon as we get home, we really need to talk.”
Of course.More time spent living in misery.
I nod, accepting her response. “Okay then. Can’t wait.” I spin around, feeling like my entire world is an hour away from shattering. Once she dumps me, I’ll probably pack my shit and leave this place. There'll be nothing left for me here.
No! Screw that.
I’ll fight for her. I refuse to give up that easily, especially when it comes to keeping what’s always been mine.
“Crew!” Scar snaps, grabbing me by the arm. “Would you stop? You’re acting like a brat.”
It’s true, I am.
“I’m sorry, baby. All this shit is just getting to me. I don’t mean to take it out on you.”
“I know.” She grabs my hands. “It’s been hard on all of us. I’m not surprised we’re all a little wound up after everything that’s happened. How about a nice, quiet night at home? Just you and me. No distractions.”
“Sounds perfect.”
The final bell rings and students rush out of their classrooms, filling the hall.
“Hey,” Jagger says to Scar in passing, “meet you out front?”
“Actually,” I voice, “football is done for the season. I’ll walk her home from here on out.”
Jagger and Scar share a look and I can see the disappointment in his eyes. “Well, how about we all walk together then,” Scar says, now looking at me for approval. “Is that okay with you?”
No. Fuck no. It’s not okay.
“Actually,” Jagger says before I can respond, “if you’re good, I need to take care of some stuff after school.”
“Oh. Okay.” Scar nods, looking far too disappointed herself.
“See you both at the house.” Jagger waves goodbye and disappears into the mix of students.
Scar and I go into the classroom to grab our books. Mr. Collins is sitting at his desk and doesn’t dare say a word about my, or Scar’s, walkout a few minutes ago.
We make a quick stop at each of our lockers, then we head out for a walk back to the house.