I jumped and dropped my phone, meeting Becca’s smile at my fright.
“Sheesh. You scared me. What’s up?” I asked as I picked up my phone from the floor, inspecting it for any damage.
“Your class is about to start,” she said, shaking her head as she spun around and left me scrambling to grab my gear for class.
Thirteen
October 14, Thursday
Shiloh
Ichugged the last of my water bottle and crushed it against the lunch table, earning a glare from Jae. I glared back and he rolled his eyes.
“As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted,” he glanced at me, “there’s no way I could ever actually go out with Sam.”
“Why not?” Nox asked with raised brow.
“Because,” Jae groaned, stabbing his fork into the tupperware in his hand, “I just know she’s going to say no. I don’t care if you call me a pussy, I’m not asking her. It’ll be an embarrassment.”
“More embarrassing than when you thought I was buying drugs this whole week,” I deadpanned.
“Yes,” he hissed. “And what did you expect me to think? You were acting shady, always dipping out of lunch early to go ‘take care of something’.”
I chuckled under my breath and rolled my eyes.
“Dude, you saw me curled up, dying of period cramps at that fight thing you invited me to. Periods don’t last one day, excuse the fuck out of me for needing to make sure I didn’t bleed through my clothing while at school.”
I might have been dying of cramps on Sunday, but I was over the fucking moon to find out that I wasn’t pregnant. Then Adrian showed up to my house on Tuesday to let me know that my tests had come back clear.And,I hadn’t been summoned by Carlos for any more loyalty tests. It was shaping up to be an amazing fucking week.
“I said I was sorry,” Jae whined. “I don’t have sisters like Nox. How was I supposed to know you were still on your period?”
“I dunno. Maybe because it’s called common sense that a menstrual cycle doesn’t last one day, fucktrumpet.” I rolled my eyes and moved back to the topic of discussion. “So, you’re not going to ask out a girl you like ‘cause you’re a pussy and you’re scared of rejection?”
“Exactly, so just let me enjoy my crush from afar. Okay?” He glared between us.
Nox raised his hands in surrender, and I relented with a sigh.
“This is stupid. Why do we have to listen to you describe her shiny blonde hair you saw across the soccer field after school? If you’re not gonna make a move, we shouldn’t have to suffer with you,” I reasoned.
I think we’d heard enough about this girl in the last three lunch periods that I could probably relate her whole life story.
“That, my dear Shiloh, is exactly what you guys are here for. What are friends for if not to suffer with you through your problems?” He smirked, pointing his fork in my direction lazily.
I looked over at Nox who shrugged with a soft laugh.
“I mean, he’s not wrong. You’re supposed to support your friends in times of need,” Nox agreed, although he looked at me like he was just agreeing to get under my skin.
“Like inStranger Things,” Jae grinned. “We stick together, always supporting a fellow team member no matter the cost.”
“What?” I blinked slowly at him.Maybe he’s on drugs.
“You know, their D&D party, you must never break their laws.” He began listing on his fingers, “No lying to each other, the first to pick a fight should be the first to apologize…”
I guess my face was still staring blankly so he trailed off.
“Oh God, tell me you’ve seenStranger Things,” Jae said, leaning across the table and clutching my arm.
Were these normal people’s ‘problems’? Crushes, not being up to date on the latest trending shows…Was it normal to be as obsessed with fictional TV characters as Jae was?
