"Rory, I'm sorry—" shebegins.
"It's fine."I cut heroff.She's relieved, but she doesn't let it show long as shenotices our company.
"This is my friend, Beth,"I tell my mother.Really only her immediate family calls herBits, and it's probablyweird that I call her that, but it's the way Sam introduced her tome.
My mother would haverecognized her if I'd called herBits, but I don't want to embarrassher by explaining exactly who she is.We are at a therapistsoffice, after all, and one who specializes in teen victims of abuseand depression at that.Though the hint of recognition in mymother's expression tells me the unmistakable midnight blue ofBits's eyes didn't get past her.
"Nice to meet you, I'm SamCaplan's sister," she introduces herself.I guess she's not quiteas ashamed of her issues as I am of mine.
Bits excuses herself soshe can get to her appointment, and I spend the next severalminutes convincing my mother that I'm now okay to drive.
When we meet up back athome, neither of us brings up Cam or our failure of a therapysession, and dinner is a quiet and somber event.We don't forceconversation, there's no need.It's not our first dinner shroudedin silence and regret.
Chapter Three
Ispeed walk around the perimeter of the school so that I don'tkeep my friends waiting for lunch.They all leave through theentrance near the gym since it's adjacent to the student lot, but Istill can't bring myself to walk past the locker rooms.I see Carland Tina in the distance standing by her car waiting on me, but I'mstartled by the male figure huddled behind the steps leading to thelot.
"Dave?"I ask when I reachhim and realize who it is.He spins to face me.
"Shh!"he replies, lookinga bit panicked.I raise my eyebrows in question.What the hell is he doing?But then I follow his gaze to Chelsea's white BMW, where sheand a couple of her friends, including Lily, arechatting.
"You arenothiding from Lilyright now…"
His expression tells methat that is precisely what he is doing.I start cracking up, andI'm vaguely aware that it's probably the first time I've reallylaughed since Miami.
"Either get lost, or getback here and hide, Pine!"he loud-whispers.
I really have to get toCarl's car, but I join Dave for a minute and mimic his positioncrouched behind the concrete steps, still laughing.
"Did you see her?Was shelooking this way?"Dave asks anxiously.It is incrediblycomical.
"She's just standingaround by Chelsea's car," I assure him."What happened?You twowere getting along so well over break."Actually they were hookingup over break, and I'm pretty sure Lily was hoping for it tocontinue.
Dave raises his eyebrows atme.I deflate.Of course, they're not the only ones who weregetting along especially well in Miami.I almost hate it when Davehas these random moments of wisdom—I prefer his usual role as thecomic relief in our group.Compassion marks his features, and maybea little regret.I don't think he meant to wipe the amusement frommy face so quickly and completely.
"She's fine, you know, butI'm not looking to marry the girl," he murmurs.
"I don't think—"
"Or have a relationship ofany kind.Or hook up with her again either, for that matter," heclarifies.
I frown.I like Lily.AndI know she really likes Dave.His rejection is going tosting.
"Don't look at me likethat, Pine.It was just a hookup.I'm just not that into her, orwhatever that line is.We can't all be Andy and Tina.Or Tuck andCarl now, apparently."Dave shrugs.I guess I can't blame him fornot returning Lily's feelings.He's entitled to feel how he feels.Though it probably would've been better if he'd considered his lackof feelings prior to sleeping with her.
"Well that's all up toyou, Dave, but you can't just hide from her every day.Just tellher the truth."
"Dude, I did.I totallytold her I didn't wanna continue seeing her,andI fucked Lisa lastweek—"
"Jesus,Dave!"My laughter doesn'tmake me sound too serious though.
"Whatever, Pine, you'reone of the guys, it's cool," he says dismissively, waving me off.How am I alwaysone of theguys?
But Dave really has becomea friend.He was there that night Robin came after me in Miami, andhe's one of the few people who knows my attacker wasn't a stranger.I knew that Carl, Tucker, Tina, and Andrew would keep it tothemselves, but I did have doubts about Dave.I feel guilty aboutthat now.Sam, on the other hand, was confident that Dave could betrusted, and time has proven him right.At least so far.I've cometo realize that after Tuck, Dave is probably Sam's closest friend,and he has grown on me quite a bit.I trust Sam's judgmentimplicitly, and the more I get to know Dave, the more I warm tohim.
"She wants me to take herto prom.I think she just wants a varsity shirt to wear on SeniorMonday.But even asking her to prom wouldn't give her the right forthat!It's not like we're a couple.She dropped hints about promover break, but I ignored them, because, you know, I was justlooking to get laid.But now she's enlisting her friends!Girls arefucking crazy, man!"
"Thanks," I saysarcastically, but he dismisses me again, like I'm not even a girlat all.
