"So how do we fix this?" I questioned glumly. "Besides having sex with her." The words flew out of my mouth before I could catch them, delivered with a bite that I didn't anticipate.
"Uh," Jonathan stammered, shock flashing across his eyes. "You should never have seen that. I'm so sorry."
I clenched my teeth and stared at the floor, more disturbed by his actions than I could rationalize as heat rushed through my chest. "So now what?"
"You're right," he answered firmly. "I have to end things with her."
I flipped my eyes toward him, not convinced he meant it.
"Should I still wait until after her birthday?"
I groaned. I hadn't thought of that. "I don't know."
Our eyes connected in deliberation until I realized I was lingering too long and blinked away.
"Thanks for the ride." I reached down to pick up my backpack and it struck me, "My sweater."
"Huh?" Jonathan didn't follow.
"What were you doing with my sweater?" I demanded.
Jonathan took in my hardened expression. "I found it on the chair on the front porch when I was leaving for work a while ago. I thought it was Rachel's. I honestly forgot I had it."
"Oh," I replied, my cheeks reddening at my accusatory tone. What was I really insinuating anyway? Maybe all this drama was making me overreact. I reached for the door handle, spotting Evan a few rows away, shutting his car door. I smiled at the sight of him. Then Analise appeared, shutting the passenger door. My heart froze and my smile disappeared.
"Are you okay?" Jonathan asked, noticing the change. I remained motionless, at a loss for words. "Emma?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," I choked, gripping the strap to my backpack. I opened the door.
"Emma," Jonathan beckoned before I could hop down. His eyes held me captive long enough to confess, "She's not the reason I decided to stay."
"Emma?" Evan hollered as I was about to ask what he meant. I hesitated for a second, but knew I had to leave.
"Thanks," I choked, barely able to form words. I hopped down from the truck and shut the door behind me.
As Jonathan drove off, Evan emerged from behind the truck.
His eyes tightened. "Was that Jonathan?" He found my hand and securely laced his fingers through mine.
"My car wouldn't start," I explained, trying to ignore Analise on the other side of him.
"Want me to take a look at it later?"
"That's okay," I replied. "Jonathan said he would, but thanks." Evan nodded slightly, his eyes following Jonathan's truck as it pulled onto the street.
"Hi, Emma," Analise chirped, poking her head around to flash her blinding smile.
"Hi, Analise," I acknowledged impassively. "Where's your car?"
"Evan and I are doing some work for Vivian after school, so we thought it made sense for him to drive me," she announced. As I listened, my feet faltered. Evan clearly saw the stunned expression on my face.
"That's great," I replied flatly. Analise went her separate way toward the junior lockers as Evan continued toward mine.
"You're upset," Evan noted as soon as Analise was out of earshot.
"No," I mumbled, not looking at him. "I'm just flustered because of my car."
"Good morning," Sara interrupted. "How are you … " Her eyes flipped from me to Evan and she pressed her lips together. "Um … I see that you're not into mornings. I'll talk to you later." She nodded knowingly and took off to class.
I pulled my books from my locker, unable to face Evan without giving away just how much his time with Analise bothered me.
"Em, you don't have to―"
"I have to go to class," I uttered, brushing past him quickly. This morning sucked. I just wanted this day to be over, and it had barely begun.
Sara was waiting for me around the corner. "I'm coming over tonight. We're talking about this whole Analise situation."
"Okay," I sighed, knowing I needed it.
The day didn't get any better when Analise plopped her fluffy ass down at our table for lunch. Sara eyed her in disbelief, like she'd trampled over all sorts of boundaries. Sara opened her mouth to say something but I shot her a pleading look and begged in a whisper, "Don't."
"You sure?" she confirmed incredulously. I nodded just as Evan sat down between me and Analise.
The awkward silence lingered until Analise broke it with, "This food looks better than Mrs. Timmins dinner last night, huh?" She let out a light laugh. "That was the strangest version of chicken I've ever seen. You should have seen it, Emma. I think it was grey. Right, Evan?"