Alex received my package of Starburst, though. Yesterday he made a production of stealthily eating them in class, grinning at me like he knew I was the mysterious candy bearer. When I caught his eye and grinned back, he dropped a few in the palm of my hand, along with an empty wrapper.
I won’t say it’s the best, but it’s close.
I use another wrapper to write back.
You have questionable taste.
After he reads it, he gives me a playful glare, tossing a mango square at my head.
“Mr. Ramos!” Mrs. Donaldson scolds. “If you know this material well enough to become distracted, then perhaps you can lead the class in an example?”
I give Alex a look of sympathy. The last thing we both need is another detention from this class. But before Alex slides out of his seat, he glances over at me.
Worth it,he mouths.
I’m about to walk into art history when Lin pulls me aside.
“Raegan’s mad at us,” she says.
My good mood instantly deflates. I really don’t need another friend mad at me right now.
“What? Why?”
Lin rolls her eyes. “Because we’re going to Breck’s party this weekend and she’s not.”
I throw my hands up. “So why doesn’t she just come?”
“Because she’s President of Leadership Council and doesn’t want to”—Lin uses air quotes—“‘tarnish her reputation.’”
I sigh. At least it’s not my fault. I’m actually looking forward to his party. For one, it’ll give me the opportunity to drop the sympathy stigma in front of most of our classmates and show them that my life is totally normal. It’ll also give me the opportunity to hang out with my friends as a group and work on the goals of my twelve steps. But it makes it hard to focus on being a better friend to Raegan when she’s upset that we’re going in the first place.
When school lets out later that day, I go to my locker and grab the change of clothes I packed. There’s no way I’m picking up trash in jeans, especially in this insufferable heat. Thankfully, Raegan scheduled our practice on the field at five thirty—going over and over our routine in the afternoon sun is never something I look forward to the day before a game.
Alex walks up just as I’m closing my locker. He smiles at me and like a reflex, I find myself smiling back.
“Are you still going to the Earth Club cleanup?” I ask.
“Yeah, for sure.” He opens his locker. “Want a ride? Carpooling seems like an approved Earth Club activity.”
I shrug.Why not?
“I’ll meet you in the parking lot,” I tell him, holding up my change of clothes.
“Sounds good.”
I head into the girls’ bathroom and lock myself in a stall. I send a quick text to Lin and tell her I’ll be there in a few, and then I pull on an old, faded tank top and my black dance shorts. I throw my hair up into a ponytail, grab my bag, and walk outside.
Alex is sitting in his truck, windows down. As I walk closer, I hear jazz blaring from his speakers.
I open the passenger door and climb in.
“Interesting music choice. Are you sixteen going on sixty?” I joke, then want to kick myself. Way to kick things off by making them awkward.
Alex jabs a finger at the dial, but I notice his face flush. “Ha ha. No. This thing’s stuck.”
I try and keep my voice even, playing it off. “To a jazz station? That’s unfortunate.”
“Tell me about it.” He puts the truck in drive. “But it’s made me well-versed in jazz musicians. You know, in case I’m ever onJeopardy!”
