“Will has his issues, but he’s a good guy.”
“I’m not talking about Will,” I answered.
Tiffany raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms.
“Oh, that’s definitely interesting.”
We both turned to look at James. He really was good looking, as much as it pained me to admit it. At first, the fact that he was more attractive than Brian, Blaze, Jackson, or even Will was a plain and simple observation. Or any other guy at school. Or any other guy I’d ever seen. It bothered me to admit that to myself. I fiercely wished it wasn’t that way. Tiffany pulled my arm, bringing me back to reality.
“I’ll tell you one thing. James feels guilty for bringing you home yesterday and coming to your defense. He would’ve wanted to be with Will.”
“Are our lives so boring that you’re still talking about last night?” Taylor suddenly asked.
Besides being loathsome, she was also Tiffany’s weakness. The brunet’s eyes lit up like two jewels when she saw the blond’s slim figure.
“And what are you doing here with Baby Escort Barbie?” exclaimed Taylor, examining me up and down. Of course my racy dress and low neckline didn’t go unnoticed.
“Tay, what are you talking about? I let her borrow one of mine.”
“Exactly. Where were you today?” The blond grimly interrogated her.
“I was . . . I had stuff to do. I went out with my mom.”
Tiffany tried to make room, but it was clear to everyone with eyes that she was hanging on her friend’s every word.
“Were you with her?”
Taylor’s initially amused expression got darker.
“So what?”
Tiffany wanted to seem detached, but despite Taylor’s rudeness, she always ended up seeking her approval.
“And stop using those drugs. They fuck your brain up.” Taylor glared at us before sauntering away.
“What’s her problem with you? Why do you let her treat you like that? That girl is toxic.”
The words rushed out of my mouth. I went back to looking at the glass I was holding. I felt impaired, but I’d literally only had one sip of that cocktail.
Tiffany craned her neck and looked at me closely, pleasantly surprised by my concern for her.
“I don’t know, June. Tay might be toxic, but I feel guilty.”
“I know there’s something going on between you and James, and Taylor doesn’t know anything about it, but they’re not exclusive. You can’t be feeling guilty because he really could care less.”
And when I turned around toward James, he was clearly twirling his tongue in the mouth of the girl he was dancing with.
“As a matter of fact, I don’t feel guilty about the relationship that she has with James, it’s about the relationship between me and her.”
“Okay, I’ll admit that I never thought of that perspective.”
But now Tiffany didn’t want to stay and listen to me. She was completely enraptured by her friend, who was talking with a tall, well-built guy, probably one of the football players at our school. They exchanged a few words then headed to the exit.
“June, sorry, but I’m gonna go for a minute.” I nodded, while Tiffany followed Taylor. You really don’t pick who you fall in love with.
“Are you with them?”
“What?”
