Sure, it’s been six months since they broke up, so it is possible she really is telling the truth, but I guess my ability to hold a grudge is better. Hurt my feelings, fine. Hurt my best friend’s feelings…I’m going to hold on to that forever.
“Not just because of how he treated you. He’s so…apathetic about everything.”
“No.” She shakes her head.
I arch a brow.
“Okay, fine, he can come off that way, but I think it’s because of all the pressure he feels to live up to his dad. He’s like a duck. Calm on the surface but paddling like hell below.”
Laughing, I consider her words, feeling the tiniest bit of guilt for possibly judging him too harshly.
“All I’m saying is that he’s a good guy underneath his sometimes prickly exterior. He’s loyal and hardworking. I’ve never known anyone with more drive and commitment than him, but he also cares deeply about his teammates and friends. He does a lot of things quietly, without a lot of fanfare, which makes it easier to miss. Actually, now that I think about it, you two are more alike than I realized.”
I make a face at being compared to Vaughn.
“Anyway.” She chuckles softly. “Vaughn and I are okay. You can stop hating him on my behalf.” Claire reaches out and squeezes my arm. “I have to get to class. See you at lunch?”
I nod, and she heads off to class, Austin trailing behind her. When they’re gone, I sneak another glance in the direction of Vaughn. He’s alone now, at his locker, getting his things for first period. Even in profile I can tell his brows are pulled together and his jaw is locked tight.
I do my best to let go of any animosity I was holding toward him about Claire, but there’s still something about him that makes my stomach swoop and my pulse kick up a notch.
With my notebook in hand, I head his direction.
He doesn’t look up until I’m standing right next to him.
“Hey.” His gaze does a quick sweep of me, homing in on my Frost Lake High cheer T-shirt before lifting back to my face.
“Hi.” For some reason the word comes out super high-pitched. Somehow Vaughn’s social awkwardness always seems to rub off on me. “I just wanted to say good luck on your test. It’s Monday, right?”
His chin dips in a slow nod. “Thanks.”
Vaughn continues to stare at me, unspeaking, until I bob my head awkwardly. “Cool. Well, uh, I should get going.”
He still says nothing. God, this is painful.
“Later.” I swivel around so fast I make myself slightly motion sick and book it to class.
Chapter Five
Lacey
“Let’s do it one more time,” I say to a chorus of groans.
Cheer practice was supposed to end five minutes ago, but if we don’t get this routine memorized tonight, there’s no way we’re going to be ready to perform it at next week’s football game.
Despite their groans, everyone gets into position. Andie shoots me a reassuring smile as I hit play on the music. I jog to my spot in time to join in on the third count. The squad picked the song, a popular rock song from the ’90s that has been done by a million other squads before but somehow remains a fan favorite. It’s fast, which means our movements need to be quick and clean.
I love cheerleading, but dancing is not my favorite part. But what I do love is the tumbling passes, which I get to do several of in this number. My body floods with adrenaline as I prepare to take off.
Roundoff, whip, two back handsprings into a back tuck, finishing with a layout step out. It’s not the hardest pass I can do, but it works well with the music.
When I finish, my heart is racing, and I’m smiling even though there’s no one watching us. The football guys are on the other side of the field, but we’re such a permanent fixture, they don’t even notice us anymore. That and if they get caught not paying attention, they have to duck walk the length of the football field. Challenging and they look ridiculous.
I barely catch my breath before the next tumbling pass is up. I have to make my way to the center of the squad for the final pose of the routine. It’s all over in less than three minutes, but it takes hours to get our timing perfect.
“Good job,” I say, still sucking in air. “See you all tomorrow.”
I fall into step next to Andie as we walk off the field.
