Weird.There’s that word again.
Not that I’m sensitive about it. “I mean, I’m trying to think of things to talk about since we have a ten-minute drive.”
She sighs heavily and crosses her arms, the seat creaking under her ass when she shifts. “Look, I asked you for a ride. That doesn’t mean we need to talk or anything.”
Right. “Totally.”
I avert my gaze so I’m focused on the road ahead and not on her beautiful face. This isn’t how I pictured this morning going. Not even close.
Or! Maybe she’s just not a morning person.
I try again. “So whatisyour scene?” If not dances, then what?
She shrugs again, continuously scrolling through her phone.
“I dunno. Just not school dances and boring shit like that. I’d rather be at a party—collegeparties, mostly.”
Except you dated Cal Uchie, who is most definitely not in college, I want to remind her.
Instead, I nod as if I totally get where she’s coming from because I like college parties, too.Not.
“Right. Sure, I get that.”
Maddie’s thumb stops moving when I say, “I saw you posted that video from the football game last week.” I clear my throat. “That was pretty cool. Do you like filming stuff?”
Her laugh is short. “I guess? I’m not gonna, like, make a career out of it or anything. It’s just for fun. And followers.”
I have no idea what to say to that. “Right. Well, you’re goodatit.”
“That’s why I have so many followers.”
Duh.
God this is so brutal.
Help me.
All her sort-of-mean quips are hitting me harder because I was not expecting them. I feel a tint of embarrassment staining my cheeks, and suddenly, the idea of driving her to school feels like the dumbest thing I’ve done since stealing that effing mascothead.
I thought this would be fun. I thought she’d be flirty—or at leastnice.
Maddie isnotinterested in me.
She’s not even interested in this conversation.
The silence stretches thinner, broken only by thetap-tap-tapof her fingernails on her phone.
I give her a sidelong glance as I drive, watching as she leans back against my mother’s plush passenger seat, completely engrossed in whatever she’s doing.
Not a care in the world…
One last look as we pull into the school parking lot.
Maddie is already gathering her things, ready to leave the moment my car stops. I park, and before I can utter another syllable, she’s unbuckled her seat belt and opened the door.
“Thanks for the ride.” She says it flatly, not looking at me. “See you around.”
She slams the door without waiting for my response, struttingoff toward the school with her phone still in her hand, texting someone who’s evidently a lot more important than me. I sit for a second, staring at the empty passenger seat, feeling like I’ve been…
