“I like those,” I say.
She looks to me expectantly.
Even though I haven’t thought about the list a lot lately, I’d already decided what I wanted. “I’m going to get a second hole on both ears.”
“Classic,” she says. “That’ll look amazing. And after we can have lunch and girl talk.”
“I love you so much.” I reach over and hug her around the neck so quickly it catches her off guard.
Laughing, she wraps her arms around me. “I love you too.”
Inside the mall, we go to the ear-piercing store and spend an exorbitant amount of time picking out earrings for our new piercings. Claire goes with a gold heart stud, and I pick out sapphires, my gemstone.
We hold hands while we’re each getting it done, and it feels good to be with her. A reminder that I have so many amazing people in my life. Maybe Vaughn and I didn’t work out the way I wanted, but I have people who care for me and make me a priority, and someday there’ll be another boy who is ready to do the same.
After, we grab lunch at the food court. Claire tosses a fry in her mouth and swallows before she says, “So…do you want to talk about him?”
“Vaughn?” I ask dumbly.
“Yes, of course.” She laughs lightly.
“There isn’t a lot to say. He’s same ole Vaughn. At least he learned from his mistakes with you and ended things with me before it got as serious.”
She eyes me carefully, and I can tell she wants to say something but is considering her words. My stomach swirls, and I set my burger down on the plate.
“It’s okay to be upset anyway. No matter who he was or what he’s done in the past, you brought out a different side of him. And you believed in that person.”
“A lot of good it did me.”
“You see the best in people and situations. It’s who you are. Don’t let him or anyone else take it from you.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “One of us needs to be optimistic, and I don’t think I have it in me.”
A real, full laugh leaves my mouth, because she’s right. Claire isn’t doom and gloom exactly, but she isn’t the optimist I am.
“I really liked him,” I admit.
“I know you did. And for what it’s worth, he really liked you too.”
“How do you know?”
“I could just tell.” She shrugs one shoulder, and I think that’s all she’s going to say before she adds, “It was little things. He looked for you when he walked into a room, and he would get this cute, dopey smile. Even on the soccer field he seemed happier when he’d look over and spot you in the crowd. You were good for him, and if he can’t see that, then it’s his loss.”
I nod. She’s right, but it still hurts.
“And you still have me. Always.” She grins playfully, trying to lighten the mood again.
We spend the rest of the day hanging out at the mall, going in every store and talking and laughing until I’m no longer pretending to have a good time.
By the time she asks if I want to go to the varsity volleyball game tonight, I’m back to feeling like me. We drive back to the school and walk into the gym as the game is starting.
All those happy feelings evaporate when I spot Vaughn with Austin and Rowan.
“Are you okay?” Claire asks.
“Yeah,” I say, not truly believing it but knowing I’m going to have to face him again eventually.
Claire sticks close to me as we walk toward the guys.
“Crawford. Lace-babe.” Rowan greets us. “Did you hear the good news?”
