Brendon? That must mean… Kristen is going to the formal with him. As her date. She knew how into him I was.
Maybe she really is that heartless.
Kristen smiles at me, but it’s not like her old one—it’s more of an “I’m better than you and don’t you forget it” smile. The kind that cuts straight through my bones. How many times have I stood where Tessa is standing? How many times have I seen that smile? Too many to count. But this is the first time she has ever directed it at me.
It makes me feel about two feet tall.
Asha steps next to me and says, “We should go.”
I’m shaking as we walk to the parking lot. I hate that Kristen can do this to me without saying a word. I hate her. Except I don’t. Like I said: complicated.
I almost drop the keys twice before I manage to unlock the car. Asha watches me, concerned, and says, “Are you okay?”
I just nod and stick the keys in the ignition. Even if I could speak I wouldn’t have the words right now. I drive out of the crowded lot and shove that nauseous feeling into the pit of my stomach. My phone bloops as I roll to a stop at a red light. I pick it up and flip it open. The text is from Sam.
Hey loser. what r u doing rite now?
I smile.
w/ asha. Mall. U?
Rosies. come over.
I hand the phone to Asha and point the car toward the lake.
* * *
Sam’s practicing ollies on his skateboard outside Rosie’s when we arrive. He sees us coming down the sidewalk and glides over, popping to an abrupt stop. He has this grin on his face, big and crooked, so different from Brendon’s perfect million-dollar smile, and I don’t know why I keep on doing that. Comparing them.
“Look who finally decided to show up,” he teases. He pushes his floppy hair out of his eyes and picks up his skateboard.
“Don’t lie. You’re thrilled we’re here,” Asha says. She leaps onto his back, throwing her arms around his neck as he staggers forward a step, laughing, surprised by the sudden weight. “Mush,” she commands.