I storm off to my bedroom and flick on my stereo, flopping down on my bed, stomach-first. Smashing my pillow over the back of my head, I force myself to block out the sounds of anything but the music. I don’t even want to hear my own thoughts.
I don’t know how much later I feel someone tugging on my foot. I roll over, ready to blast whoever it is, but I zip my mouth before I can. My mom is sitting there with her sad face on. I can never fight the sad face.
“Sweetie, I want to talk to you for just a second.”
“Fine. Talk.” I throw my pillow behind my head and punch it on the sides a few times to fluff it up.
“You had a hard time at the doctor’s office today, didn’t you?”
I sigh heavily but say nothing. I don’t need to burden my mom with that crap. She has enough on her plate.
“What did he say? Is Jersey okay?”
“Yes, he’s fine. It’s nothing. I’m just in a mood. My period’s coming or something.”
“Mick seems nice,” she says, giving me a tentative smile.
“Mom, don’t, okay? He’s not interested in me.” It makes me almost cry to say that. “He came with Teagan and Jersey snagged him and he felt obligated to follow through. That’s it. He’s not here for me or for him. He’ll be gone soon and you’ll never see him again.”
She jiggles my foot some more. “I wouldn’t count on that.” She stands, but now she’s got my attention, so I sit up quickly.
“What’d he say? Did he say something?” I bite my lip, wishing I didn’t sound so eager.
“He said lots of things, but you’ve been too busy having a pity party to hear them. Come on down for dessert.”
I flip over onto my side, hating that she’s right. “No. I’m too tired. Teagan’s coming to get Mick any minute. Tell him I said goodbye.”
“You sure?” she says at the door.
“Yes,” I say, not sure at all. I’m probably making a big mistake by being so rude, but my heart won’t let me leave my room. I’ve gotten my hopes up with guys before, but any of them that got close enough to be near my family never stuck around much longer after that. I’ve pretty much come to terms with the fact that I’ll never have a serious relationship with a guy until I’m grown and gone from this place. Thoughts of rooming with Teagan float through my mind again.
I’m still fantasizing about what color I’d paint my bedroom at her house when there’s another knock at my door. “Go away!” I yell. “I said I don’t want dessert!”
The door pushes in and I turn over to blast the intruder with threats I fully intend to follow up on. They all go unsaid as I see Mick standing in my doorway, holding two plates with cake and forks on them.
“Room service,” he says, coming in and putting one down on my side table.
I sit up in a hurry, doing what I can to smooth the sides of my hair down. Rolling around on my pillow has done nothing good for my ponytail, which, I can tell by the poofs of fluffy, raggedy hair I feel above my ears, has gone rogue. Great. I look like the Joker now.
“I’m not in the mood for dessert,” I say, swinging my legs over to the side of my bed.
He sits down next to me, digging into his own piece. “I’d taste it first, if I were you. This is some good stuff.” He shoves a giant bite into his mouth and smiles.
“You’re evil, you know that?” I ask. I can’t stop the smile from coming to my lips.
“I’ve been called that before.” He shrugs. “At this point I’m taking it as a compliment.”
I lean over and pick up my cake plate. “Why are you here, Mick?” I keep my eyes on my fork and cake, knowing that if I look at him, I’ll chicken out.
“Just having some fun, some good food. Hanging out with friends.”
A bite of cake freezes halfway to my mouth. “What friends?”
He nudges me with his elbow. “Come on, man. Don’t be like that. We can be friends, can’t we?”
My heart skips another couple beats. I shake my head as I eat my cake. “I guess.” Do I even want to be friends with him? I don’t know. It feels risky. Like, really risky, and that says a lot coming from me.
“Good. I’m working at the club tonight if you want to come hang out. I’ll buy you a drink.”
Another bite of cake disappears down my throat as I consider his offer. “Maybe. I’m not sure what I’m doing yet.”