‘Said something about a nickname she gave her? I’ve got a feeling it wasn’t especially complimentary.’
‘Hell hath no fury like a woman pissed off at your missus,’ Michael says sagely. ‘I don’t know if flowers will do it, mate, you might want to get out your knee pads and start grovelling.’
I turn to look across the room, where Mia is pulling books out of a bag and stacking them on a low coffee table between her and the blond dude. Classic Bre. But how am I supposed to make up for something my girlfriend did when she isn’t even my girlfriend anymore?
18
Mia
Soccer is really not my thing. That goes for all sports to be honest, I only went to my brother’s football games because I had to. Where I’m from, when your older brother is the star quarterback on the high school team, you might as well walk up and kick him in the balls during first period rather than not show up to a Friday night game. It would basically be the same thing.
But Alice and Jenna insisted we come to support Michael and, to a lesser degree, Ethan, so here I am, Saturday afternoon, bundled up in matching maroon Hemden sweaters and scarves, the perfect level of cosy for the pumpkin spice weather.
‘You’ll enjoy it when you get into it,’ Alice insists. ‘I was never a football fan before, but you know, school spirit and all that.’
‘Let’s fucking go!’ Jenna screams. ‘Murder those Mossington bastards!’
‘She takes it very seriously.’ Alice leans in to speak a little softer. ‘You’ve been warned.’
Oliver isn’t here. He made it clear he wouldn’t be attending during our study session the day before. When I asked if he might join us, he laughed as though I’d asked if he was planning to run for president of the USA. Instead of nursing a suspicious-looking paper cup of coffee in the stands of the Hemden football ground, he is at band practice. Again. He has a lot of band practices for someonewhose band doesn’t actually have any shows scheduled, but he is a perfectionist and that’s something I have decided to love about him.
‘How was your study date yesterday?’ Alice asks before popping open a bag of salt and vinegar chips and holding them out in my direction. I decline, holding up the coffee in explanation and she shrugs, pushing a fistful into her mouth.
‘Good? I think so at least? Although we never seem to get any studying done.’
‘Isn’t that the point of a study date with someone you like?’
‘I wish that’s what I meant. We talk, listen to music, read to each other.’
Jenna interrupts with a gagging sound.
‘But he hasn’t made a single move.’
‘Really?’
‘It’s me, right?’ I sigh. ‘He doesn’t see me that way. Guys never do.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Alice says with a frown. ‘You’re offensively adorable.’
‘Thank you but adorable isn’t how I want him to see me. I’m not hot. I’m not, you know, desirable.’
‘Shut your mouth, you’re so hot I could fry an egg on you. Hotness is a state of mind, it’s real if you believe in it. Like the Easter bunny.’
‘You think the Easter bunny is hot?’
‘I think anyone who brings me chocolate is hot.’
It’s a good point.
‘And back to Oliver. Am I being crazy? Does he just want to be friends?’
Alice deliberates through a mouthful of chips. ‘Oliver can be an odd bod. First year, we saw him all the time, second year he startedhis band, so he wasn’t around as much. You’ve seen more of him than anyone else so far this year. Now, I’m not an expert in men—’
Jenna pauses her yelling to scoff at her friend.
‘—but I don’t think he’s the sort to be spending time with someone if he isn’t interested in them.’
‘Agreed.’ Jenna plucks a chip from Alice’s bag and munches thoughtfully. ‘Maybe he isn’t sure you’re interested. British men need a lot of help. Most of them still haven’t evolved past all thatPride & Prejudicestuff. They have no idea how a girl feels until she sticks her tongue down their throat.’
