I laugh and just like that, the tension breaks.
His Chevy is just as worn on the inside as it is on the outside. There’s a large crack running down his rearview mirror and chunks of leather are peeling away from his seats. The vents don’t blow any air, which is probably why the windows are rolled down, but he taps his hands on the wheel like it’s a brand-new BMW.
I notice he’s not wearing his infamous double shirts, but a plain white tee paired with black soccer shorts. Pieces of his dark curls fall over his eyebrows when he glances at me. I quickly look away, flustered. I don’t want him to think I’ve been, like,gawkingat him.
This would be an ideal time to bring up his text.
i know my timing is off…
And yet, I can’t bring myself to start that conversation. Not when we’ve been getting along so well as friends. Besides, it’sJaywho I want to reconnect with. Even though he’s adopted a slightly full-of-himself attitude, he’s still the same Jay from freshman year. A person can’t change that much.
At least, that’s what I tell myself.
“Hey, so,” I begin, “wasn’t today supposed to be your last day of detention?”
“Yeah, but it turns out Mrs. Donaldson loves Lin. She was a star student in her geometry class last year,” he explains. “When I told her only five people signed up for the Earth Club cleanup and that Lin was bummed about it, she gave in and let me go do this instead.” He picks up a piece of paper from his console. “All Lin has to do is sign this to tell her I was there. For proof.”
I give a playful gasp. “You used my best friend as an excuse.”
“I didn’t, I swear.” He glances at me again. “I told you I was going to do this anyway. Even before detention. Besides, I need volunteer hours.”
“For what?”
“College apps. I figure I better start now so I’m not attempting to cram it all in my senior year.”
That’s a good point. Why hadn’t I thought of that? I’ve barely thought about college, let alone the SATs.
“Do you know where you want to go?”
Alex grows quiet for a moment. “I think I might stay fairly close. UT Austin or Rice, maybe the University of Oklahoma.” I notice the lack of excitement in his voice. “They have a good film program.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Want to try that once more, with feeling?”
Alex meets my gaze for a moment. He looks surprised that I’ve called him out, but what he doesn’t realize is that I am the queen of lackluster replies. I perfected my technique in Portland when I told my classmates I transferred due to my mom’s job. It was easier than explaining the truth. Besides, I’ve known Alex long enough to know that he’s wanted to attend film school in southern California since forever.
“It’s complicated,” is all he says.
I know that feeling well enough, so I don’t push him.
Alex pulls into the parking lot across from the lake. We don’t say anything as we get out and head toward Lin’s designated picnic table. Earth Club’s President, Holly Macintyre, is pulling on a pair of plastic gloves as Lin opens a box of trash bags.
Aside from the four of us, there’s Colton. Lin had to bribe him by buying him three slices of pizza at lunch, but he’s here. Well, physically here anyway. He’s wearing his headphones, no doubt daydreaming of playing stadium tours.
“Hey!” Lin says when she spots us. She takes a few steps away from Holly and whispers, “This turnout isawful. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her as she hands us a pair of gloves. “The next one will be better.”
She gives us an unsure smile.
Holly divides us into two groups. Alex and I will take the west side of the lake, and they’ll take the east. Lin reminds us to stay hydrated, gesturing to one of the water canisters they’ve borrowed from the football team. Then we split up.
There isn’t much trash on the picnic side of the park, so we wander to a secluded area of trees. That’s when we stumble upon an array of smashed beer cans, stained napkins, and forgotten tubes of ChapStick.
The west side of Winsor Lake is where the seniors come to party. They have to wander pretty far into the woods to avoid gaining attention from the cops with all the noise and music. Whitney used to say she couldn’twaituntil we were seniors so we could party here, but I don’t see the fun in standing around in the middle of the forest watching everyone else get trashed. It’s not that I’m against everyone having a good time. I mean, I’ve tried my fair share of cheap beer and spiked lemonade. I’m just not exactly comfortable watching other people getwasted—probably because I’ve watched my dad do the same thing too many times.
Alex takes in the stretch of discarded beer cans. “I never understood why Marlina loved coming here.”
I glance up at him, surprised. It’s as if he read my mind.
