Lily’s nose wrinkled. “It’s not my idea of fun.”
“Where’s your school spirit?”
“I’d prefer to show it in ways other than watching high schoolers trying to throw a ball as far as possible.”
Mei snorted. “Come on, it won’t be that bad. What are you going to do instead?”
Lily glanced toward the huge pile of work on her desk.
“Nope, no working on a Friday night.”
“But—”
“No buts.” Mei marched over and seized her wrist. “At least watch the first quarter.“
“Fine.” Lily shrugged on her coat and let Mei drag her from the room. She’d never been down to the football field, and they followed the steady trickle of latecomers past the tennis courts to the bleachers, the field illuminated by floodlights though the sun had yet to set. Andrew waved at them from a seat near the front, and Mei and Lily squeezed into the space beside him.
“Hey, Andrew. How’s it going?”
“Not bad.” He tightened the scarf around his neck before digging his hands into his pockets. “Better once the night is over.”
“You mean you’re not looking forward to spending the night with me?” Mei feigned outrage. “How rude.”
“It’s more the dance I object to,” he said, grinning. “Nothing to do with your company.”
“I promise to try and make it entertaining.”
“At least you aren’t stuck with Eva,” Lily said, thinking Winter Formal would be much more fun if she had Mei as company.
Mei gave her a gentle pat on the back.
Shouts rang out as the cheerleaders took to the field, and Lily glanced around the stands. It was a sea of the emerald-green school colors, the crowd chanting along with the cheerleaders.
Lily’s breath fogged in the air. “Is the team any good?”
“They’re all right,” Andrew said. “Not going to win any championships, but they’re not at the bottom.”
Lily recognized a few of the cheerleaders and some of the team from her classes—by face, if not by name. It at least gave her something to watch, because she didn’t know the rules well enough to follow what was happening. She copied the reactions of those around her, cheering and booing at what she hoped were the right moments.
“See, it’s not so bad, is it?” Mei said after Greenfield scored their first touchdown. “Admit it, you’re having fun.”
“I’d be having more fun if I was relaxing in a bath right now.”
“I take back what I said before about you being kind and welcoming.” Mei knocked Lily’s shoulder with her own. “Is Eva rubbing off on you?”
Lily threw her a look, and Mei grinned.
“Any plans for the weekend?” Lily was eager to change the subject. “Are you seeing James again?”
“For dinner and a movie.”
“I’m glad it’s going well. Now I’m going to be the only single one when we go out for drinks.”
“I’ve done my time—it’s someone else’s turn,” Mei said. “Have you not had any luck with the app?”
Shit. Lily had left her phone on her desk, abandoning Elsa mid-conversation. Hopefully she’d be forgiving. “I’ve messaged a couple of people, but only one of interest.”
“Oh yeah? Tell me about her.”
