in fact it’s everything. Are you sure you want to hang out with a Goth loving, grunge dresser? You saw evidence of the real me in my closet, remember?”
“I think I can hack it.” She laughs. “As long as you don’t try and change my closet.”
“As if I dare try. I didn’t realize how fierce you could be until earlier. Seriously scary.” We both start to giggle.
“What about school? You’re not going to drop the AP classes are you? You need them for your college applications. You are still going to college aren’t you?”
“I don’t know,” I say, and Lori’s face drops. “I think so. I might take a year out first, though. I promise I won’t go back to my old ways. Well, not all of them anyway, and—” I stop as an awful thought crosses my mind. I raise my hand to my mouth.
“What’s wrong?” Lori asks.
“I’ve just had a thought. What about Guy? If he’s told everyone about last night then it will be a total nightmare at school next week.”
“He won’t say anything if it’s going to make him look stupid. Trust me.”
“Are you sure? Why would it make him stupid?”
“Boys like Guy have an image to live up to.” This sounds so much like Maddie it’s not funny. “He won’t want people to think you gave him up for Ryan.”
“But I didn’t.”
“We know that, but Guy doesn’t. And now it’s over, I’ll admit to being pleased.” What?
“Pleased? How come?”
“Look, I like Guy. But he can be totally controlling. I think that’s one of the reasons Carla dumped him.” Now she tells me.
“Why didn’t you say anything before?”
“Because you seemed so into him. And he might have been different with you.”
“I don’t think he was, when I think back to some of the things he said to me. Though at the time I didn’t notice.” Well, that sure eases the guilt some.
“So, come on. Introduce me to Ryan. Your friend,” Lori says, and I give her a pretend slap.
“I’d love to, except he’s not allowed to mix with customers when he’s working. You can wave to him if you like.”
“Okay I will. But you’ll have to introduce him to me sooner or later. I have a feeling there’s more to you and him than you’re admitting.”
If I didn’t know better I’d say Lori is Maddie incarnate. The similarities are ridiculous.
“Look, after what I did to him I’m lucky he’s talking to me at all.”
“What do you mean?”
“I made a choice. Be a virgin, or admit to having a relationship. And by taking the virgin route I hurt Ryan badly. What sort of person does that make me?”
“You did what you thought best. Don’t beat yourself up about it. You’ve sorted it now and that what counts.”
“I know. And it’s not even that I regret what happened between us. If I went back in time I’d do it all again. I’ll never forget it.”
“And you say you only think of him as a friend? Um—I don’t think so. Oh, there he is.” She points toward the bathroom and gives a huge wave.
She’s so cool.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“No dinner for me, thanks.” I say to Mom when I get home. “I’m going to the movies.”
“You could have given me more notice, I’ve already taken the steaks from the freezer.” She huffs and puffs, and moves things around noisily—a sure indication she’s not happy.
“Sorry. I didn’t know until a little while ago. I told you as soon as I could. I’ll have it tomorrow.”
“It doesn’t matter,” she says stiffly. “Your dad can have two. They’re not that big. What are you going to see?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll see what Ryan fancies.”
“Ryan? You’re going with Ryan?” She spins around from the sink, knife in one hand carrot in the other. Carrots, yuck. My most unfavorite vegetable. Yet another reason not to stay in.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Last night you went out with Guy. Tonight you’re going out with Ryan. And you don’t see anything wrong? How many times do I have to tell you about playing boys off against one another?” I take a step backward as in her excitement she’s waving the knife and getting perilously close.
“I’m not playing them off. For a start Ryan and I are just friends.” Even if something inside my head is trying to make me want more than that. “And also I finished with Guy last night.” I prepare myself for the barrage. Finishing with Mr. Perfect (her view, not mine) won’t go down well.
“You gave Guy his