“Which what?” I said, because I couldn’t make any sense of his question/insult.
I knew I should have kept my mouth closed, but it was an automatic thing, and I couldn’t take it back.
“Which one’s the goal and which one’s the post?”
I shook my head and didn’t respond.
“Which one’s the plug and which one’s the socket?”
My face burned as Trent followed me, offering suggestion after ridiculous suggestion.
My neck prickled, and the sweat felt cold against my skin. Trent kept getting louder and louder until—
“Hey!” I paused and looked back. Chip had his arm out, blocking Trent from following me. “What the heck, dude?”
There it was again: heck. Like that was a word guys used.
“What?”
“Why are you always such a jerk to him? What did he ever do to you?”
“Nothing. I’m just teasing.”
“No you’re not. You’re being awful. And it’s gotten worse since I told you I liked him.”
Chip glanced back at me for a second.
I was frozen.
But then he turned around and said, “You’re supposed to be my best friend. Why don’t you act like you’re worth it?”
Trent’s mouth opened and closed. He looked from Chip, to me, and then to Gabe and Jaden, who had slowed down to wait for us and were watching the scene with their arms folded across their chests.
His face reddened.
I never noticed how much he looked like an angry baby with his face all red.
His overlarge nostrils flared.
“Whatever.” He tried to push past Chip’s arm, but Chip didn’t budge, so he turned and slouched back toward the stands.
Chip lowered his arm and let out his breath. His whole body depressurized in front of me.
Jaden and Gabe murmured to each other, but I couldn’t make anything out. I just stared at Chip, who nodded to himself, and then caught me looking.
He had this look in his eyes. I don’t know how to describe it.
It was like he was utterly lost.
But then he shrugged, and looked down at his feet, and walked past me toward the locker room.
What just happened?
ALL OF YOU
It was a quiet bus ride back to Chapel Hill High School, but at least it was a short one. Everyone was on their phones, or watching the traffic go by, or leaning against the windows with their eyes closed and their bags as pillows.
I sat toward the back, watching Chip as he stared out the window.
