He shakes his head. “I could never hate you.”
A lump forms in my throat, and I have to look away from him and his stunning blue eyes that haunt my dreams.
The first bell rings, and I’m glad for an escape. “I better go.”
“Yeah.” He pushes off my locker but doesn’t move out of my way until I glance back up at his face. His lips curve into a sad smile. “I’ll see you around, Lacey.”
* * *
The rest of the day improves through twisted means. Every teacher seems to be in as bad of a mood as I am, and the homework stacks up. Claire doesn’t question me when I tell her I’m going to the library to study during lunch. SATs are tomorrow, and I’m grateful for the escape.
She comes along for support and reads while I block out the world. Cheerleading practice doesn’t even lift my mood. Every time I glance over at the empty soccer field, my stomach twists with how much I miss him.
* * *
On Wednesday morning, the school is eerily quiet. Anyone who isn’t taking the test had the day off, so everyone here is anxious and silent as we file into the classroom where the test is administered.
I take a seat next to Caleb. He has that excitement on his face of someone who knows they’re going to ace the test.
“Ready for this?” he asks.
“I hope so.” I don’t have his same confidence, and the fear of not doing well hits me for the first time in days. I was so focused on studying as an escape that I didn’t let myself worry about what happens if I score low. I can take it again in the spring, but ultimately, I have to do well if I want to go to a top college.
Once the test is in front of me, I take a deep breath and begin. I don’t think about anything else but the questions until time is up.
“Turn your tests in up front and you’re dismissed,” Dr. Frievalt says.
I breathe a sigh of relief, and a smile pulls at my lips. A huge weight lifts from my shoulders and for the first time in days, I don’t feel like wallowing. I did it. It’s done. At least for today, I’m not going to worry about if it’s enough.
After I turn in my test, I follow the rest of the class out into the breezeway. Claire waves when she sees me and stands from the bench. It’s a surprise to see her since she wasn’t taking the test today.
“How did it go?” she asks by way of greeting.
“It felt good. I think,” I say.
Her grin widens, and she lunges for me, hugging me hard. I let my body go limp in her arms and just soak her in for a moment.
“What are you doing here?” I ask with a small laugh when she finally pulls back.
“I have a surprise.” She tips her head toward the parking lot. “I’m stealing you for the afternoon.”
I assume we’re going to her house or mine, but when Claire pulls up in front of the mall, I raise a brow in question.
She unbuckles and I do too, because no matter what she has planned, I’m sure I’ll say yes in the end. There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for her and vice versa.
“I thought to celebrate your kick-ass SAT score—”
“I don’t know my score yet,” I interject.
“You did amazing. I’m speaking it into the universe,” she says without missing a beat. “We should get our ears pierced together.”
Number three on my bucket list.
“I forgot about the list,” I admit.
“Well, I did not. I’m thinking of getting a helix piercing on the right ear.”
The normalcy of it makes me appreciate her all the more, but I know deep down this is about making me feel better.
