Jackson put his giant figure between the two of them while Blaze put his arm around Amelia to take her away.
“How about we go home?” Blaze said.
“Brian and I didn’t ask you anything!”
I heard Amelia’s voice crack when she turned to James one more time. He closed his eyes and then let out a heavy sigh. He seemed like he was holding something back, but I couldn’t tell what it was.
“Just like nobody asked you to attack the principal! If you guys wanna hurt people and then hide behind your fake heroism, that’s fine! But I’m sick of it. And maybe June should keep her distance from people like you. You guys are toxic!”
Amelia’s words rang in the now silent air. Nobody was talking.
“June.”
“Yes?”
I looked Amelia in her emerald eyes, and I understood what she was about to ask me.
“Tell me something, did you know about Ari and James?”
“No, I mean, I found out by accident.”
“Did you know about it?” she asked rigidly.
I nodded with my head bowed.
“I can’t believe it.”
“Yeah, but I don’t have anything to do with it. I didn’t tell you because—”
“You know what? Maybe you do belong with them,” she declared. She wiped away her tears to turn around and leave with Blaze. I looked at Ari, then William. Both were silent.
I don’t know why, but all the jealousy I’d felt toward them seemed to completely disappear.
Will wasn’t the problem. I was.
I lost control in situations like that. I felt lost. And come to think about it, if William made out with Ari so easily, he must’ve not been that into me either.
“June?”
“No, Will, I don’t want to talk. Respect my decision. I just wanna go home.”
“Listen.” Will grabbed my arm before I could walk away.
“Will, she just told you she doesn’t want to talk,” said James, raising his voice slightly.
William bowed his head, until his friend stood in front of him.
“You’ve done enough tonight, Will,” he quietly ordered.
“James, I didn’t mean to insult your mom before, but—”
“But get out,” I spat, looking Will right in the eye.
He seemed so innocent at that moment but I couldn’t let myself be moved by his angelic face anymore.
“June, where are you going?” Will seemed to worry when I started walking down the street toward my house.
“James, go with her,” I heard him beg.
