“So you’re a player then,” I say when we walk away. “Have you had sex?”
A muscle in his jaw twitches.
“Ah,” I say. “I guessed.”
Actually, I’m surprised. Despite his atrocious personality, he’s very attractive in an expensive way. Neat haircut, bright eyes, long legs. Very long legs.
Now he’s staring at me, pink lips parted. “I’m not a virgin.”
I grin as Jasper’s hands curl into fists by his sides, his eyes blazing. God, this is good. I’ve figured out a way to get back at him.
7
Jasper: You'd Want Me To
Juliet walks into the kitchen, where I’m shoving a piece of toast into my mouth while throwing my P.E uniform into a gym bag.
“Yeah, we’ll see. I’ve heard the people in the marketing department are friendly,” Juliet says into her phone. Still in her pyjamas, she grabs a mug and turns on the coffee machine.
“Can you make me one too?” I ask.
She shoots me an annoyed look but gets a second mug. “It’s just Jasper, wanting me to feed him as always,” she says into the phone. “He’s getting ready for school — hey, wait. Why are you packing your P.E stuff?” she asks me.
“It’s cross-country today.”
“It’s cross-country at school today,” Juliet parrots into her phone, then nods and hands the phone to me. “It’s Mum.”
I take it from her. “Juliet’s lying. I always feed myself,” I say.
Mum laughs, city noises in the background. “I know you do, Jasper. Are you excited about cross-country today?”
“Eh,” I say, using my free hand to stuff my physics textbook into my schoolbag.
“Eh? That’s not very enthusiastic.”
“It’s been raining all night, so the track is going to be a muddy mess. Besides, long distance running isn’t my idea of fun.”
“I remember you used to be incredible at cross-country. Remember when you went all the way to the regional competitions?”
“That was in primary school, Mum.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll do well today.”
The words should motivate me, but instead, I feel dread. “Thanks. I’ll try my best.”
“Good boy,” Mum says, “now, could you give me back to Juliet?”
“Oh. Oh, yeah, sure.” I exchange Juliet’s phone for my cup of coffee and take a long sip. I don’t have time to talk to Mum, anyway. I need to pack and brush my teeth and run to the bus stop.
“Win a ribbon!” Juliet calls after me when I leave through the front door.
I don’t reply and grit my teeth. The last time I went for a run was months ago, so I hope my family doesn’t expect me to place. Then again, knowing them, they will. What’s the point of being a Harvey if you’re not the best?
*
After lunch, the entire school goes to the gym. The students look like a crowd of lolly-pops, as we all have to wear a shirt with our house colour: red, blue, yellow, or green. I sit with Curtis at the back of the gym, both of us wearing green, amongst the rest of the Year 12s. Raindrops run down the window glass.
“Think they’ll cancel it?” I ask. It’s been dribbling rain all day.
