I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. But Momma says these are the right girls. The right crowd.
“Hey,” I wave at the three girls clustered near the marble sculpture of Bart the Bear, Pinkerton High’s mascot.
“Ew, what happened to your forehead?” Savannah asks, backing away like I have the plague.
“I fell.” I shrug. “It’s nothing serious.”
“You are such a klutz,” Phyllis chastises me. “Do you have two left feet or what?”
“Well, I didn’t fall on purpose, Phyllis.”
“Oh, honey, what are you going to do about the homecoming dance?” Savannah tsks. “You can’t waltz into the gym hanging on Redmond’s arm looking like something the cat dragged in.”
“Still don’t get why he asked you in the first place,” Phyllis quips, throwing shade.
Savannah snorts, and Claudette snickers behind her long coffin-shaped acrylic nails. Truth be told, I have no clue why he asked me either. Sure, Redmond and Nolan are best friends, but he never paid attention to me until a few weeks ago. What’s changed? Unlike my brother, Redmond’s tall, ripped, and freaking hot. He could’ve gone to the dance with any girl he wanted, but chose me.
“Don’t fret.” Claudette squeezes my hand, offering false comfort. “Foundation will cover that nasty little bruise right up.”
“I have an important announcement,” Savannah states cheekily, changing the subject.
“Do tell.” Phyllis waggles her eyebrows. “Is it something juicy?”
Savannah flips her lemonade braids over her shoulder. “Super juicy.”
Claudette sucks her teeth impatiently. “Well, what is it?”
“I’m going to have sex with Briceson on homecoming night.”
“What?” I exclaim, wide-eyed. “But that’s tomorrow and you’re only fifteen.”
And she just started dating him. They can’t love each other this soon. Sex is a huge step and shouldn’t be taken lightly. I, for one, want my first time to be special.
“But you’re only fifteen,” Savannah mimics in a whiny tone. “Gosh, you’re such a baby. It’s not a big deal. My cousin lost her virginity at thirteen. Anyway, it’s my duty to keep my man satisfied.”
“Yeah, hello, we’re not in middle school anymore, FeFe,” Claudette retorts. “Do you think Redmond is going to stick around if you’re not giving it up? He’ll drop you like a bad habit, girl. Remember, whatever you refused to do, another bitch won’t.”
“And being a virgin at fifteen is so 1960s,” Savannah proclaims, giving me the stink face. “You really need to get with the times.”
“Creeper alert,” Phyllis mutters suddenly, wrinkling her nose.
Savannah follows her gaze. “Who?”
“The dingy white boy sitting on the stairs.”
I glance over and my breath stalls in my throat.
Sam.
Sitting on the edge of the brick steps like he belongs nowhere. Hoodie half-zipped. Knees drawn up. But it’s his eyes—those glacial-blue eyes—that pin me to the spot.
He’s staring at me.Justme.
What the hell is he doing?
We made a rule. No looks. No words. No acknowledgment.
And he’s burning a hole through me in front of the worst gossips in the entire school.
