“Awful.”
Tennessee strolls by us, his gait even and so damn self-assured. The child in me wants to trip him. Not that I’ve ever tripped anyone. But if I had to trip someone, Ten would be that someone.
Rae shuts her locker. “Want to come over and watch a movie tonight? It’s book club night.”
Our mothers founded this very exclusive book club where they drink way more than they read. Jasper’s mom is also a member, along with a bunch of other Reedwoodian mothers. They meet every first Thursday of the month, but talk about itallmonth.
I tell her I’m in, but regret it at lunch when she asks Melody to come too. Of course Mel says yes, and then she asks if Laney can tag along since they were supposed to hang out, and Rae says the more the merrier. I’m bummed she’s invited Mel and Laney, but it’s Rae. Rae wouldn’t be Rae if she weren’t surrounded by her court at all times. In a way, I’m glad she has them in her life since music takes up such a huge chunk of mine.
While I sip apple juice, Jasper trots over to our table. He spins thefree chair next to mine and straddles it. “Did I hear y’all mention a movie night?”
Melody flips her chin-length hair. “Hey, Jasper.”
On his way toward the jocks’ corner of the cafeteria, Brad, Jasper’s best friend, stops by our table. Laney’s black eyes dart to his ultra-pale blue ones that play hide-and-seek underneath his shaggy brown hair. He and Laney use to be an item, but they split up last spring. From what Rae told me, it didn’t end well.
“Yo, J-man, some sophomorian chicks just asked me if you were single.” A smug grin laps against Brad’s fuzzy face. I think he’s trying to grow facial hair, buttryingis the key word.
“That’s not even a word, Brad,” Rae says, rolling her eyes at him.
Jasper eyes me as he says, “Not interested.”
The last time Jasper paid me this much attention was when we played Guitar Hero back in middle school and I beat him by a million points.
Brad turns but halts midspin. “By the way, Conrad, I approve.”
“What do you approve of?” I take a long swallow of my juice.
He points to my shirt, which is stretched a little tight. “Rae’s daddy’s work. Looks very natural.”
I choke on my apple juice.
Rae narrows her eyes at him. “I noticed you were scheduled for a ball lift in Daddy’s agenda, or was it a testicular implant? You have just the one, right?”
Brad flips her the finger, but I can tell by his reddening jaw that her comment hit hard. He glares at Laney, whose lips begin to tremble.
“Screw you.” I’m not sure if Brad says this to Rae or Laney.
Once he’s stormed off, Laney jumps out of her seat, tears streaming down her narrow, pale face. “How could you, Rae?”
Mel stands up. “That was cold, Rae.”
“He insulted Angie!”
Mel glowers at me as though this weremyfault, before running after Laney.
Jasper chuckles. “I dig girl fights.”
“Shut up.” Rae jabs at her vanilla pudding. “Brad’s such a prick. Why are you even friends with him?”
Jasper grins.
“And why are you still here, Jasper?” she adds.
He stops rocking his chair back and forth. “I was tryin’ to score an invite to your chick night.”
“We don’t invite boys tochicknights.”
“You should. We’d liven it up.”
