I'm reading Peter Hamill'sForeverfor the third time, once again captivated by the fictional narrative that manages to describe the colorful history of New York City like no other, and trying to figure out where NYU's current campus falls in the city's landscape through the years, when the doorbell rings. I look at the cable box to confirm it's only just after noon. My second batch of muffins aren't even ready.
No one knows I'm home,do they?
My breath skips then skyrockets, and instantly a fine sheen of cold sweat gathers over my skin.
Don't panic.
It could be a door to door salesperson, or a Jehovah's witness trying to convert me. It could be a courier service with some legal documents for my mother...
I remind myself I'm not in Linton. It can't behim.It also can't be one of his or his father's many minions here to intimidate me out of telling the truth. It can't be Lacey with a group of lackeys here to call me vicious names or sling horrible rumors my way. It can't be my own father here to threaten me or pretend like he's doing me some huge favor "digging" me out of my "own mess" by helping my attacker cover up what he'd done. Or accusing me of ruining all our lives.
The bell rings again, this time supplemented by a tentative knock. It isn't the knock of someone here to hurt or frighten me, and as I start to calm, I see Carl's worried face peeking in through my living room window, searching but unseeing. Of course, the thought that it could be an actual friend simply here to check that I'm alright never crossed my mind.
As soon as I open the door, Carl rushes in in a whirlwind. "Rory, I was so worried. Your phone is going straight to voicemail and there's so much going on and-"
"I'm fine," I cut her off. She looks me over to confirm this for herself, and when she's satisfied, she takes a deep breath.
"Well you could let a girl know,Jesus," she sighs dramatically before stalking to my living room and plopping down on the sofa.
"Well come right in then," I tease, and she sticks her tongue out at me like a toddler. I walk over to the couch and sit facing her. I guess I won't be able to avoid the fallout from yesterday's fight after all, even for one day.
"You're really okay?" she asks again. "When you weren't in school I-"
"I'm okay, I guess. I just wanted one day to relax before I spend the rest of the school year being accused of being some crazy slut, or whatever variation Chelsea comes up with," I explain. "The dean called the house. I erased the message but I'm gonna have to tell my mom when she gets home from work. They're gonna make her come in for a meeting." I sigh. "Do you think they'll suspend me?"
Carl stares at me wide eyed. "So you haven't spoken to anyone since yesterday? Tina?Cap?"
I shake my head, stunned by Carl's wry smile. "What? What could possibly be funny? What is everyone saying? Did I have a crack baby and then flee Florida to avoid an assault charge because I'm such a crazy, violent bitch?"
Carl sits back and makes herself comfortable, still smirking. "It smells amazing in here, have you been baking?" she asks.
I blink at her and remember my manners. "Muffins. You want?"
She nods. I
I grab a plate and four muffins and bring them to Carl before sitting back down and eating my own. "So?" I prompt. I know I wanted to avoid this until tomorrow, but she's here, and I can't not ask what the story is. I'm sure it's something more outrageous than my simple imagination could fathom.
"Well," Carl starts talking between bites, "the rumor is Chelsea followed you into the bathroom and took a picture of you changing..."
"That's not the rumor, that's what happened," I challenge.
Carl raises her eyebrows like she agrees it's unexpected. "I know, right? They're saying she was jealous of you and Cap, because apparently you're in love, so she tried to embarrass you by implicating you in what was meant to be a nude photo/ sexting scandal. Apparently you got your hands on her phone to delete the photo, but she attacked you and you accidentally dropped it in the toilet. Apparently you have a scar on your hip from some car accident you were in when you were a kid, and everyone's making fun of Chelsea because she doesn't know where a C section scar is supposed to be." She says all of this with practiced nonchalance, chewing massive mouthfuls all the while. "Oh and because you kicked her ass even though she's the one who came after you."
I glare at her, mouth agape, completely in shock.
There is no way this is what people are saying. It's not the way things go in high school. People don't turn on the Queen Bee unless someone more powerful is pulling strings, and I'm nowhere near where she is on the food chain.
"So, I guess for once the rumor mill got it pretty close. Besides how you got the scar - unless the car accident is true..."
I blink at her, giving nothing away.
"Oh, and you and Cap being in love. Unless that's also true, of course..." Her lips twist into a playful smirk and I chuck a throw pillow at her and roll my eyes. She knows it isn't true and I don't know why she can't just let herSam and Rorytheory go. I suspect she just enjoys teasing me.
"I can't believe it," I breathe.
"I know. You must have a guardian angel up there with the high school rumor Gods," she shrugs and takes a second muffin and starts breaking off pieces to pop into her mouth. "Dese ah tho good," she mumbles through a mouthful.
"I don't understand," I whisper, still trying to figure out how a nobody new girl came out on top of Miss Popularity...
