I fold my arms over my chest, annoyed. Rose thinks she’ssosuperior, but she doesn’t know everything. Joe seems into Sara, which is why I’m in this predicament. Because, yes, maybe a teeny part of me wanted those love letters to be from Sara.
But is it because I miss her attention? Or is it because I really like her?
As more than a friend?
“So what are you saying?” I snap. “Get to the point.”
“That’s why I said we should help each other.” Rose moves her hands onto her hips. “Joe and I obviously have our thing going on, and everyone knows we’re the better match. And even though you might try and deny it, I know you have a thing for Sara. You can’t stop staring at her. I saw you in there just now. And she’s obviously always had a thing for you, Patrick. Everyone knows that.”
I press my lips together. This used to irritate me to no end. (Can’t a guy and a girl be friends? Sheesh.) But now . . . I don’t know. It doesn’t bother me as much, I guess.
“Joe is getting in the way, and I can see how it complicates things between you two,” she continues. “So what do you say? We can help each other, don’t you see?”
My, isn’t Rose so perceptive? Although Sara wasn’t exactly being subtle when she threw her arms around Joe just now. And don’t I want Joe out of the equation?
Ugh, bad calculus pun.
“So,” I say slowly, “are you saying you wanna split them up?”
She chuckles, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder. “Oh Patrick,split them up?I wouldn’t call it that—they’re not even dating. But more like . . . prevent Sara Lin from experiencing heartbreak.” She leans closer to my ear. “You care about Sara, right? If you do, we could do this together.”
I do care about Sara, but she’s her own person. Her feelings aren’t mine to complicate, and I’m definitely not going to team up with I Get What I Want Rose to demolish any chance Sara might have with Joe. I’m not about to be used by the popular girlandruin my best friendship.
So I shove Rose’s hand from my shoulder, putting distance between us. “Ha, you’re funny,” I intone. “Sounds like you want to use me, but guess what? Me and Sara are just friends, so who am I to stop her from dating whoever she wants?”
Rose huffs, offended. I pluck my water bottle from the fountain and tuck it under my arm, starting for the classroom.
“Sorry, I’mma pass this time,” I say coolly. “Looks like you’re gonna have to woo Joe the old-fashioned way. You’re really pretty, though, so I’m sure you’ll have no trouble.”
“What, Patrick? Did you even hear a word I said?” She catches up to me quickly. “This isn’t just about me—it’s a win-win situation! I’d be using you as much as you’d be using me. That’s why I said we’re helping each other.”
I wave a hand through the air, as if dismissing her. “Still no, but thanks for the consideration. I’m honored you thought of me for your evil plan. Maybe next time.”
“Whatever, Patrick,” she huffs, blowing several light strands of hair out of her face. “Don’t mind me sayingI told you soafter Sara comes crying to you because Joe’s broken her weak little heart, especially when you could have been there to prevent it in the first place.”
I’ve comethisclose to escaping Rose, but this makes me pause in the doorway. I weigh her words. What if Rose is right? Joe’s nice to everyone. Maybe he’s actually into Rose but Sara can’t tell. If that’s true, Sara’s gonna be devastated. I imagine her giving up writing forever, too depressed to write or hang out or eat hot pot—
I shudder. No, I can’t let that happen.
Rose must sense a shift in me, because she says, “If you’re not doing this for me, at least do it for her. You care about her well-being even just as friends, right?”
I turn and face her, taking cautious steps forward. “Okay, I’m just asking questions here, but what would we even do about it, Rose? It’s not like I’m just gonna go up to her and—”
A mischievous glint appears behind her eyes as she smirks. “Just come with me, I’ll take care of everything.” Then she struts ahead of me, making a beeline for the classroom. “I even have a plan for tonight, and all you have to do is show up to the festival.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa! I gave an inch and she took a mile. There’s no way I’m teaming up with freaking Rose. No. Way.
I catch up to her. “What? Hey, stop. I didn’t agree to anything!”
“Just follow my lead, Patrick.”
And then she practically skips inside Mr. Day’s room, humming gleefully under her breath. Oh no—what in the world is she going to do?
“Wait,” I say, chasing after her. “Ijustsaid I didn’t even agree to anything!”
THIRTY-THREE
Sara
