Secondary Characters (Novella) - By Rachel Schieffelbein Page 0,29
where’re you love birds going?” he continues.
“Romano’s.”
“Right, Italian food. How romantic. Very original, Zach.”
Blood rushes to my face. I don’t care if it is the typical place. This is my first fancy, romantic date and it’s going to be perfect. I glare back, replying with silence.
“Ok, ok.” He throws his hands up. “It’s a good place. Great food, actually.”
I ignore him, glancing back at my phone. An hour late. Maybe he got in an accident?
“Can I ask you two questions?” Justin prods.
“No.” My filter’s gone now. He’s beyond irritating. Just because everyone worships him doesn’t mean he gets to know everyone’s business. Of course, he ignores my answer.
“First, why are you being picked up for a date here?”
I answer without thinking. “Zach thinks my mom’s weird.” My tongue thickens, making it hard to speak. Crap, shouldn’t have said that.
“Oh? Should that matter if he’s dating you?” He clears his throat. “I mean, shouldn’t he want to get to know her if he’s dating you?”
He looks at me with a soft expression, like the ones people use on injured puppies on those Emergency Vet shows.
I press my lips together. He doesn’t know my mom. This time he accepts my silence.
“Secondly, don’t you think you deserve someone who respects you enough to either show up on time or at least call and let you know why he’s late?”
Whoa, who is he to give me relationship advice?
“You’ve got to be kidding, right?”
“No. I’m dead serious. You deserve better.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“No, but I know Zach.”
“So do I. He’s my boyfriend.” I refuse to look at him, instead watching a group of ants pour out of a crack in the pavement. “You know you’re a real jerk, right?” I add.
Justin lets out a long whistle. “Wow. I haven’t been called a jerk since I was, like, eight?”
I don’t care how hot he is. Why Marissa wants him blows my mind.
He pulls out his phone. “Let me show you something.” He dials and flashes me his outgoing call: Zach F.
No. This is not happening.
I launch at his phone but he’s too quick. He jumps off the bench and I eat pavement.
“It doesn’t matter. He isn’t going to answ—” I say as I scramble up off the ground.
“Hello?” a familiar booms. Speaker phone. Crap.
“Hey Zach! It’s Justin.”
“Hey Man. What’s up?” My gut relaxes. Zach’s ok.
“Not much. Just waiting to pick up Jennifer.” Justin paces, circling the bench and me.
“Right on, man!” Zach is always so positive. Zach’s attitude is contagious. I can’t help but smile when I’m around him.
“What are you up to?”
“Disc golf with Tater.”
My chest squeezes. How can Zach be playing a game with his cousin Tater? An I-Told-You-So expression sits in triumph on Justin’s face.
Stupid face.
“Sweet. Awesome day for a game.”
“I know, huh?” Justin drags his shoe in the some sand.
“Will I see you at the party tonight?”
“Hell, yeah!”
Maybe he didn’t forget? He knows we’re going to go to the party together. He must have gotten the times mixed up. Assumed he had time to play disc first.
“Sweet. I’ll see you there. Got to run, Jen’s done. We’ve got a great date night planned before the party and all … ”
No Justin, don’t do this. I want to die.
“Oh shit, dude. I was supposed to pick up that Lucy chick for a date too.” Zach laughs.
Three skipped heart beats.
Zach forgot.
He forgot about me.
My nose begins to itch. Tears are inevitable. But I won’t cry in front of Justin. I focus on my cuticles, trying to hold off tears while Zach’s voice continues to boom from the phone. Justin finishes circling the bench, now standing next to me. So I can hear everything.
“Eh, she’ll understand. It’s a gorgeous day. I mean, who can remember a date when disc golf calls?”
“Well, good luck with that.” Justin taps my shoulder. I want to break his fingers.
“Right on, man.” Beep.
My eyes are thicker, probably now red and puffy. I take a deep breath, trying to hold off the emotional impact of the moment. Justin’s moved in front of me, waiting for my reaction. He’s so rude. I glare daggers into his green eyes. Hate him.
My phone finally vibrates.
Zach: hey sorry work’s crazy. Meet u at party L8R.
My gut twists inside out. Zach lied. He forgot about me and lied. Why did he ask me out if he didn’t like me? I grab my bag. I need to get away from Justin before I break down.
“Let me guess,” Justin says, “he lied?”
Prying ass.
A ruthless fire burns inside me, made especially for him.
“Can I ask you something?” I don’t wait for an answer. “Why are you so unbearably rude?”
“Listen,” he begins, “You deserved to know.”
“No. That wasn’t your place. Do you think you’re like a god or something? ‘You deserved to know. Total bull. Don’t I deserve to be treated with respect?” I pause for effect. His eyes widen and he opens his mouth to speak, but he doesn’t have a word to deliver. “Right. You dish out Hallmark wisdom but don’t follow it yourself. Don’t be a hypocrite.”
The tears are rolling down my cheeks but I don’t care anymore. Now I want him to see it. Staring into his green eyes, I search to see if he understands what he’s done. But his eyes are blank. Not even a hint of remorse. The pool gate jingles and Jennifer steps out. I quickly distance myself from the bench and start the walk of rejection back home.
I don’t look back. I never want to see Justin Marshall again.
END OF SAMPLE
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen