More Than Maybe - Erin Hahn Page 0,56
So invasive.”
“Says the chick with the big-time music blog,” says Laura.
Oh, here we go.
“Yeah, but I don’t post anything personal about the bands. I only critique what they put out there either in a public venue or an approved recording.”
“I guess. But you still depend on the faceless masses to make your name famous.”
“That’s sort of the point of a review, though. Not to make my name famous but to share my opinion with the faceless masses.”
Ahmed raises an eyebrow.
“Hey, Vada.” Luke is walking toward us, trailed by Zack. I haven’t technically spoken to him since the Song. I mean, we’ve texted, obviously, but I don’t work Mondays or Tuesdays at the club now that I’m managing the Sunday shift. More to the point, I haven’t seen him since we danced and I … haven’t mentioned it. Neither of us have. I don’t know how this all works. My fingers are itching to call Meg and beg her to tell me the protocol for when you finally hold hands with your crush and then his love song about Who Knows Who goes viral and all you really want to know is was it about me?
Please, God, let it have been about me.
But also, holy shit what if it was about me?!
Ja’Kai unintentionally helps me out, giving one of those guy nods and a “Hey, Luke, Zack.”
Luke’s smile is dimmer than usual, but his gaze finds mine, and I can’t help but match it, my heart giving a tiny jolt at the sight of him. He’s wearing an old-man cardigan over his white, fitted V-neck. His hair is all mussed up and tossing in the wind, and he raises a hand to attempt to smooth it out of the way of his glasses. “I didn’t know you were still out here,” he says.
“I should head back in, actually,” I say. “I left my lunch at the table.”
“Hey, Luke! Great song!” Heather says, and if she were closer, I’d kick her.
He looks away from me. “Thanks.”
“Last I checked, it was up to ten thousand hits! That’s amazing, bro,” Ja’Kai says.
“Yeah,” Luke says, clearing his throat. “Yeah, I saw that.”
“Actually, I saw it,” Zack interjects lightly. “I’ve appointed myself as Luke’s social media analyst. Vada, how’s it going?”
“I didn’t fake die today, so there’s that.”
“Me neither,” he says. “Thanks to this guy.” He ruffles Luke’s hair. “Saved by a bin of protractors. Did you know they’re the ninja stars of the geometry wing?”
“I was thinking boomerangs.”
Zack raises his brow and exchanges glances with Luke, who tries to look busy.
“Nice ring, Carsewell.”
I don’t bother to look. I haven’t taken the mood ring off since Luke gave it to me. “Thanks.”
“What’s dark blue mean, I wonder?”
Luke interjects. “Hey, d’you need to get your lunch before next period?”
“Yeah. I should go.” My stomach growls again.
“We can walk you. We have lunch next.”
Laura and Ahmed start gathering up their things, and Laura asks, “Do you mind if we walk with you?”
They follow Zack, and Luke lingers for a minute. Something silent passes between them, and Zack nods slightly, leading the group in as if they were there for him. Amazingly, they follow like little ducks all in a row.
I shake my head, and Luke laughs under his breath. “Yeah. I call it the Zack Effect. People can’t help but follow him. It’s the height, I think.
“Or something. He’s … comforting.”
Luke agrees. “Yeah. Totally. My mum says he’s like a walking hug.” He looks at me. “How’s The Miserables?” he asks, nodding at my paperback.
“Terrible. Utterly devastating and depressing on every page.”
His face lifts. “It really needs Anne Hathaway to make it palatable.”
“Indeed. Though her solo made me ugly cry in the theater.”
“Cullen dragged me along, and I could barely sleep afterward. The part with the little revolutionary?”
“Oh yeah. I guess it’s to be expected. It’s not like they tricked us. They didn’t call it The Happiest or anything like that.”
“Not like The Lovely Bones. That was misleading, eh?”
“I never read or saw it,” I admit. “Not about anything lovely, I suppose?”
He shudders. “Not even close. I had nightmares for a month after seeing that movie on TV.” We’re at the doors, and he pulls one open, allowing me through first. We take the back stairs up to the cafeteria, and when we get to the top, I see Lindsay watching us. Luke notices and looks uncomfortable.
I want to say something that will make him feel better, but I don’t know what. I decide on honesty.
“I listened to