Curvy Girls Can't Date Bad Boys - Kelsie Stelting Page 0,63
think about that though, because Mrs. Bardot was putting her arm around my shoulders and saying, “What if I walk you to class?”
“I can do it on my own,” I said, feeling each and every word. I held my chin high and continued to my locker, where I got the books I needed for each class until the end of the day. Even though my backpack felt like a ton of bricks, avoiding excess time in the hallways seemed like an important survival skill right now. And the day had only just begun.
The teachers had obviously been prepped for the day. Despite the awkward looks and comments I got in the hallways, the classrooms were all business. They kept us busy throughout the hour and never once left the classroom. Eating lunch in the cafeteria was out of the question, so I booked it to the AV room after fourth hour
Walking into the room full of dusty shelves of VHS tapes and Mr. Davis sitting at his computer in the corner felt as much like home as anything else had lately.
Rory and Callie were already sitting at the table, and they’d somehow gotten another table set beside our original so the guys could fit with us.
“How was today?” Rory asked. “I heard about the face-off with Merritt.”
Callie cringed. “What happened?”
I shook my head, set my heavy backpack on the ground, and dropped onto a chair. “It was a weirdest thing ever. Merritt basically accused me of sleeping around and then proceeded to tell me that she did not break the news to the press. All of that before asking me not to tell anyone about her family's financial situation.”
A sardonic laugh sounded from behind me, and I looked over my shoulder to see Jordan carrying her tray in. “Merritt asking you for help? Now? That’s rich.”
Kai followed a few steps behind her and sat at the table next to me.
The irony of my argument with Merritt didn't escape me. “It was a weird though,” I said. “It was like she was defeated or something. I didn't want to, but I felt kind of sorry for her, at her situation.” I knew what it felt like to have your parents keep secrets and fall short of who you thought they were.
The door opened again, and Ginger came in next with Ray. She set her tray alongslide Callie’s. “What did I miss?”
Rory shrugged. “Merritt asked Zara for help and down is now up.”
Ginger began opening the wrapper with her silverware inside. “Tell me more.”
Within a few minutes, all of my best friends and their boyfriends (or friend in Callie’s case) were around the table, talking, sharing food with me, and somehow, laughing.
Some people believed in soulmate, singular. I didn’t. These people around the table, they were my soulmates, and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. I needed them now more than ever.
Thirty-Nine
Lunch with the girls was exactly what I needed. Unfortunately, after lunch, there came classes. And one of those was current events. As I walked down the hallway, it seemed to be getting longer and longer, and each step I took I had to suck in more oxygen to keep from feeling dizzy.
I’d read all the online articles, but I could only imagine the headlines that would show up in the Everyday Emerson. This story had it all. Business, Entertainment, Sports. I wouldn't be surprised if there were stories in each section.
An arm slipped through mine, and I turned to see Rory walking beside me. Her eyes were straight ahead, but she was whispering to me. “You can do this. I'm going to make sure no one talks about what happened. We'll be okay.”
With each word she spoke, I could feel myself calming ever so slightly. How she knew exactly what I needed to hear, I had no idea. I just knew I was more thankful than ever to have her as a friend.
We had to separate to walk through the door, but she stuck close behind me and sat beside me in class. Mr. Sullivan acted as if it was just any other day, passing out copies of the Everyday Emerson.
My copy landed in front of me on the desk. A photo of Ryde and me stared back at me from the cover, right next to a photo of what was clearly Ronan and me arguing in front of Waldo's. A third photo showed Chester escorting me to his car and fighting off the paparazzi with his cane.