who saw me laughed and mooed. The next day Britney posted a picture of me roaming the halls in a towel on Instagram. Needless to say, life really sucked for a while.”
Jesus. That’s terrible. “She’s such a cunt.”
She nods. “I can’t wait until she graduates. I might actually be able to enjoy my senior year.” She shrugs. “Truth be told, I was happy she found a new target, but when I saw you covered in sauce, I knew I had to help.” She smirks. “Not that you needed it. You were pretty badass back there.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “I’ve been dealing with Britney since elementary school, so I’m used to her bullshit. There just happens to be way more of it now.”
No doubt due to her and Jace dating.
Her brows crinkle in confusion. “You used to go to school here? I thought you were new?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I mean, I might as well be because it’s been so long and I only know a few people, but I moved out of Royal Manor when I was in eighth grade.” I blow out a heavy breath. “Now I’m back.”
And nothing has changed…except Jace.
“Which royally sucks,” she says, taking the words out of my mouth.
“Big time.”
She holds out her hand. “My name is Sawyer Church. I’m a junior and I drive an old ass mini-van. I’m not rich like everyone else here, but I enjoy studying so I managed to get a scholarship to RHA—really, it’s only because Principal Ryan is close with my family. Oh, and I dislike ninety-nine percent of the general population, but that doesn’t stop me from helping all the dipshits in the world because WWJD.”
I shake her hand. “WWJD? Is that like a band or something?”
“I wish. That would be awesome.” She motions to the bracelet on her wrist that has the same initials inscribed on it. “What would Jesus do.”
Not quite the answer I was expecting. “Oh…”
She grimaces. “Ugh. Don’t do that. I thought you were cool.”
I have no idea what she means. “Do what?”
“Look, just because I’m religious doesn’t mean I’m some kind of Jesus freak. Well, I mean I am, because he’s awesome, but I promise I’m normal.” She averts her gaze. “Okay, maybe not normal—but I cuss a lot, stay out past curfew, and watch bad movies.” She blushes. “I’ve also watched porn a time or two. And if Nick Jonas wanted to spend the night with me, I’d seriously consider tossing my virginity out the window.”
“I think he’s married.”
“God, don’t rub it in—” She quirks an eyebrow. “You never told me your name.”
“Dylan Taylor.”
She taps her foot. “And…”
Oh, boy. This girl is a trip. “I’m a senior. I have my license, but my car was repoed when my—” I stop mid-sentence because I don’t know her well enough to tell her about my dad being in the slammer. “It’s a long story.”
Sawyer tips her head to the side, studying me. “It’s okay. We’ll get there.”
“Get where?”
She adjusts her glasses. “The way I see it, we’re both misfits in this hellhole. Why not be friends?”
In theory, it makes perfect sense, but superficial friendships for the sake of not being alone don’t really appeal to me. “Um. No offense, but—”
“What? Did your best friend have sex with your boyfriend or something?”
“More like my worst enemy,” I whisper before I can stop myself.
Evidently, I’m in need of a friend more than I thought because I’m one extra shirt away from spilling all my secrets.
Sadness clouds her eyes. “Ouch. That would definitely explain your trust issues.” She smiles. “For what it’s worth, you don’t have to worry about me having sex with anyone but my future husband.” There’s a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. “Or Nick Jonas. Because heaven help me, I would ride him frontward, backward, and sideways on a Sunday.”
I start to smile, but it occurs to me that if we’re going to be friends, I should let Sawyer in on the truth. “Since we’re on the subject of sex, let me state for the record that I didn’t fuck my cousin. Oakley started the stupid rumor to get back at me because he thinks I ratted him out to his dad about smoking weed in the basement.”
“Okay, let me get this straight…you’re saying you didn’t fuck your cousin?” Her face falls. “Damn. I’m not sure I want to be friends with you anymore. The apple’s lost its shine, you know?”
I kind of love that she’s as fluent in