“I heard you’re not living at home anymore. That you’re staying down at that place by the river where all the homeless people are. Is that true?” Fiona asked, aghast.
Yoss was all tension beside me.
Becky didn’t seem to notice his discomfort. “You’re coming back to school though, right? You’re a definite for Homecoming court this year!”
I wanted to laugh at her idiocy.
Homecoming court?
Really?
Couldn’t she tell that I didn’t give a shit about any of that? I was pretty sure my dirty shirt and stained jeans gave away my zero fucks.
“I don’t think—”
“You should bring Yoss to the dance! It’ll be awesome! Becky and I were discussing themes and we’re thinking Totally 80s. I was talking to Amanda the other day and she said we should all get together next week and start planning. It’ll be here before you know it!” Fiona prattled on.
I looked at Yoss. He had shoved his hands into his pockets and had moved off to stand by the picnic tables.
“I don’t think I’ll be going to the dance,” I said. I wanted them to leave. That feeling from earlier resurfaced. The one where I felt as if I were missing out. I didn’t like it. If I let those feelings in, I was pretty sure I’d lose it.
Becky gasped. “How can you say that? It’s our junior year!” She turned to Yoss. “Tell her how important it is! It’s Homecoming! It’s a rite of passage to go!”
Yoss didn’t say anything and I didn’t like the look on his face. At all.
“I don’t know. Things are different now,” I said as way of explanation.
Fiona and Becky exchanged another look and I knew that I’d be the source of a lot of conversation later.
“Becky! Fiona! Come on already!” someone yelled from the other side of the park.
Becky grimaced. “I guess we should get going. I’ll see you around, Imi.” She leaned in to give me a hug, but I evaded her. She frowned, taking a step back, seeming offended.
Fiona wiggled her fingers at Yoss, who stared at her blankly. “See you guys.”
Then they were gone and I was relieved.
“God, I had almost forgotten how annoying they could be,” I laughed awkwardly. Yoss was watching my classmates with a strange look on his face.
I walked over to where he was standing and put my arms around his waist, going up on my tiptoes so that I could kiss his lips.
He stood stiffly in my arms, not holding me back.
“Yoss, come on, say something,” I pleaded.
“You should go to your Homecoming dance,” he said dully. Emotionless.
“Uh, I don’t think that fits into my current social calendar,” I joked, though it rang hollow.
Yoss reached behind his back and disentangled himself from my arms, holding me away from his body. “You should go back to school next week,” he went on.
“Yoss, don’t be ridic—”
“You have another life, Imi. A decent one. One that you should be living. Not hanging out with a bunch of fucking skids that sleep in a goddamn warehouse.” His voice rose and I flinched.
“Why are you saying this? You know why I left home. I have nowhere to go—”
Yoss shook his head. “You have a home, Imi. You have friends. School. Homecoming. You have things the rest of us don’t. What the hell are you doing?” he demanded.
