Jake’s eyes widen, Riden gasps and lets out an indignantHuh?!,and I make a not-so-pleased face. Jake hits me in the ribs with his elbow, and I stop making that constipated face.
“Oh wow!” I fake enthusiasm. “That’s- Great!”
“I mean, I don’t know, isn’t it too soon? He’s going to town now to prepare for this special date. He said that from 6 PM I can go to town, because it willallbe ready.”
“Okay…”
Everyone stays quiet, taking it all in.
“But do you want to date him?” I break the silence, and everyone turns to her.
“I don’t know…” She shrugs, and I purse my lips.
I’ve always thought Allison should slow down the dating scene and just… Spend time with herself. Learn to live withherself instead of burying herself in a trashy guy and just never beingalone. But I just don’t go around throwing unsolicited advice, especially considering I’ve had zero boyfriends, my dad’s a single dad, and I base all my knowledge on romance novels and movies.
When we later get to the town square and drop Allison off, she throws me a tilted smile, and I let out for only Jake to hear.
“One day, she’ll realize she’s worth more than just being someone’s girl.”
31
Smashing It as a Girlfriend
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John and Kiki Deeblasts through the car’s speakers while Jake and I practice for the talent show.
The Moron pack is leaving this night, and that got me thinking. Jake has done a lot for me, and the way his friends can sometimes dismiss him as if he doesn’t have feelingsenragedme. Then I remembered one of our conversations where I called him out for not getting mad. So, in some type of effort, I’m taking him to a rage room just outside Mailview, as a surprise. My dad took me there probably a year after my mom left, and I think I don’t need to say I used it to my full potential. I’ve rarely been there ever since, but if I’m really worked up and just about to burst emotionally, I find a way to get myself in there as a way of coping.
Impulsively, I stop the song, and he shuts up.
“Hey, that was my part!”
“You have to talk to them. Riden and the boys?” I clarify, and he huffs while resting his elbow on the window. “They shouldn’t joke about something so important to you, and it clearly affects you.”
“Look, this is just how guys are. We bully each other about everything, but defend each other with our lives. Riden has gotten in trouble for sticking up for me with other guys-”
“I’m not talking about Riden. He jokes, but he also acknowledges your talent. It’s a healthy balance. The other two- Just,god, I’m pissed off just by thinking about their condescending tone.”
He turns to me, crossing his arms.
“You’re making this a bigger deal than it is.”
“No, I’m not. Even though you can be very arrogant and cocky, and annoying about some things, you’re fragile about your dream. I listened to the songs West, you’re good, they have substance.” I glance at him while turning the wheel.
“Youwhat?!”
“I bribed someone, but it doesn’t matter. The point is, you’re more than the joker you let everyone see, and you’re more talented than you let others believe.” We’re getting closer to the place. “I may be a bitch sometimes, and many people may see me as this closed-off person, but I never hide what I like and my passions. The stuff that makes me who I am.”
“Whatever.” He shrugs, doing something close to pouting because he knows I’m right.
“It’s like, you only let people see the tip of the iceberg and show yourself as a shallow, flirty jock, who parties too much, when there’s so much more depth to you that it could touch the bottom of the ocean.”
He doesn’t say anything, so I glance at him, and he’s smiling, a quiet smile while looking at me.
“What?”
“You’re very ferocious when defending someone.” Pause. “I never thought I’d be one of those people.”
That- Yeah, whywas Iso worked up? Maybe this is living proof that we’ve really become friends. I’ve only ever spoken like this about my family and Allison.
