“What else?”
I wiggle the pen between my fingers and think. This would be a lot easier if Liam actually had any faults.
FEATHERY CHLORINATED HAIR
FLAT ASS
MISSED HIS CUE OPENING NIGHT
“Come on. None of these are even real faults.”
“Fine. You do it.”
But Jasmine shakes her head. “I can’t. He was perfect. He had the most beautiful eyes. And I liked his flat ass, it made mine look better. And his shoulders were so strong. And his abs...god, you ever see him with his shirt off? Of course you did, you saw the play.”
I mean, it’s all true, but it’s all physical. I think about what he said. How he feels like people only see his body. And it makes me so mad. He deserved better from Jasmine.
“Do you hear yourself?” I snap. “Did you even know him or was he just a slab of meat to you?”
Jasmine blinks. “Oh my god. You’re right. The only good thing about him was his body.” She straightens up, sniffling, wiping away her tears with her mascara-stained Kleenex. “Put that down.”
“What? No. That’s too mean.”
“So? How’s he going to know?”
“I’ll know.”
“Jackson. Please.” Her eyes have dried, but her lip is quivering again. “Can you just do this? For me?”
“Fine. But you can never tell him.”
“I won’t.”
“Promise.”
“All right. I promise.”
So I add it.
BODY IS HIS ONLY REDEEMING FEATURE
“Good. More. I bet that’s why he got cast too. Keep going.”
I hate myself, but I keep writing.
ONLY GOT CAST FOR HIS LOOKS
GETS AWAY WITH THINGS BECAUSE HE’SHOTCONVENTIONALLY ATTACTIVE
DOESN’T CARE WHO HE HURTS
Guilt settles into my stomach like a stage weight. Liam worked hard for his role. He works hard for everything he does. He’s a good friend.
And I’m a horrible one.
But Jasmine has stopped crying. She leans her head against my shoulder, reaches for the list. She scans it over, then looks at me and finally manages half a smile.
“It’s perfect.”
