don’t have to talk before you’re ready, and I don’t have to waste my lunch break trying to make you. Fair trade, I’d say.”
You are the worst guidance counselor, ever. And I’m thankful for it.
I hesitate, weighing my options. Be forced into baring my soul to an unqualified high school guidance counselor, or scribble in a notebook every once in a while? It’s a no-brainer.
She lifts a brow, extending the notebook further, prompting me to take it. My shoulders deflate, and she smiles, knowing she’s won.
“Fine.”
“Come back and see me in two days. Then, every other week from there on out.”
I mumble a thanks, then turn for the door when her voice stops me again.
“And Shayne?”
I pause, looking at her over my shoulder. She leans in, lowering her voice. “I was a student here once, too. I know better than anyone how brutal these entitled assholes can be.”
My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline and I almost crack a smile. I did not see that coming.
“So if you ever need to talk…” She leaves the invitation hanging and I give her a grateful nod before closing the door. Stepping out into the now-busy hall, I fish my phone out of my back pocket to text Valen, but she beats me to it.
Valen: Eating on campus. Meet me in the cafeteria.
I groan, internally debating on ditching school for the first time. To my right are the double doors that lead to the cafeteria. To the left is the exit. My phone vibrates in my hand, interrupting my thoughts.
Valen: Don’t even think about bailing.
I groan, stuffing my phone back into my pocket, and reluctantly make my way toward the cafeteria. Apprehension settles in, growing with each step, but I shove it down and square my shoulders. It’s not that I can’t handle it—I’m more than used to being a spectacle. Being the new girl in a small town is bad enough, but living with the Ames brothers was another thing entirely. Everyone either hated me because they were jealous or they wanted to befriend me in an attempt to weasel their way into the brothers’ inner circle. And their pants. Everyone, that is, except Valen.
So, no. It’s not the whispers and jokes and stares I’m worried about. It’s the unknown that unsettles me, and this is just another giant question mark in my life. Without Thayer, Holden, and Danny, where do I belong? Best-case scenario—the masses will no longer perceive me as a threat nor an in, and I’ll become invisible. Worst-case? The gloves will come off, now that I’m not in their good graces.
Taking a deep breath, I school my features, slipping my mask into place, and pull the door open. Showing weakness isn’t an option. The minute I seem intimidated, they’ll pounce. Head held high, I scan the crowded tables and lunch lines for Valen. I spot her near one of the counters and head her way. Instantly, I feel eyes on me, but I keep my eyes straight ahead, not stopping until I reach Valen.
“I hate you,” I say, leaning in close so only she can hear.
“You love me,” she argues. “Besides, you had to get it over with sooner or later.” The girl in front of us turns to leave after paying for her food, and we move up to the register. “Chicken salad and a Diet Coke, please.”
“And a turkey sandwich,” I say with a pointed look at Valen. If she’s going to force me to spend extra time with these assholes, I’m at least getting something out of the deal. Valen rolls her eyes, nodding her permission to the lunch lady.
Cling-wrapped sandwich and container of salad in hand, we make our way over to one of the few empty tables. The minute we sit, my eyes find my old table and, sure enough, Holden and his crew are there. He straddles the bench sideways with Taylor Sanders between his spread knees, her back to his front. It shouldn’t surprise me to see her with Holden after she hooked up with Thayer, but for some reason, it does. I guess it doesn’t matter which one it is, as long as they’re an Ames.
Holden slides a finger down the top of her shirt to get a good look at her chest and she giggles, slapping his hand away, even though she’s loving the attention. Clearly, some things never change. The kid across from them laughs, and my eyes snap up to his face.