“I know it’s totally out of left field, but since you and I won’t be going anymore, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to say yes.”
“Oh, yeah. Of course.” Dread pooled in my stomach. He was really doing it. Miles was going to Winter Formal with another girl.
It wasn’t fair to be jealous or upset, but I’d always imagined we’d go together, even if we weren’t dating. Because he was my best friend.
Myonlyfriend at school.
If he went with Marcy, I would have no one to go with and it was junior year. My first Winter Formal.
“Yeah?” His smile grew and I saw the relief in his eyes. He really wanted to go with her.
So much for being cut up about us.
“You don’t mind?”
“No, of course not. She seems nice.”
“She is. We have a couple of classes together and she said she’s always wanted to ask me out but thought that we… well, you know.”
“Yeah. Listen, Miles, I need to go. Have fun with Marcy.”
I hurried down the hall and ducked in the girls bathroom with a sharp breath. God, that was awkward. But it was more than that. It was the fact Miles had moved on so quickly not only from our relationship but our friendship, apparently.
Max had warned me that things would never go back to how they were before, but I hadn’t wanted to believe him.
Laughter sounded on the other side of the door, and I quickly slipped into a stall. The door swung open, and voices filled the bathroom.
“Oh God, can you believe he said yes?”
“Well, duh. You’re ten times the girl Celeste Rowe is and so much prettier. I mean, she’s so… weird.”
“Amalie,” Marcy laughed. “Don’t be so cruel. She’s his best friend.”
“Was. Shewashis best friend. She ended things and now you get to help him move on.”
Their laughter was like sharpened claws down my spine, and I pressed a hand over my mouth.
“I still can’t believe it. I’ve crushed on him for years.”
“It’s your time to shine, babe. And by the end of the Winter Formal, it’ll be like Celeste who.”
They left the bathroom in a flurry of laughter, the door clicking shut behind them. But I didn’t move. I couldn’t. And the worst of it was, the one person I’d usually run to when something like this happened was no longer my person.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket again, opening up my text thread with Harleigh. But I stopped myself. She still hadn’t responded in the group chat. Maybe she was busy… or maybe she just didn’t have anything to say to me.
Chloe would though, she’d know exactly what to say to cheer me up. I switched to our chat thread.
Me: Can we get drunk tonight?
Chloe: Hells yes! I’ll ask my friend to get us something from the store… what are you thinking? Vodka? Whiskey? Beer?
A small chuckle left my lips. I knew I could count on her.
Me: Nothing too strong. It’s a school night.
Chloe: Fine, leave it with me. Meet at the gas station at six thirty?
Me: Where are we going?