Danika.
I stop in the middle of the hall when I spot her standing next to my locker.I’m tempted to walk straight to class, not in any condition to hear her gloat about being right about Jonathan.Except she doesn’t look gloaty.She looks… sad.Maybe even worried.She raises her hand in a small wave.A peace offering.
“Hi,” she says when I reach my locker.
“Hi.”My voice is barely audible.I open the locker and begin gathering my books.
“I’m sorry about what happened yesterday.I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“You mean, if he hurt me too?”
“What?”
I give her a look.She knows exactly what I meant.
“Yesterday was a lot.I’m checking onyou.How you’re feeling.”
I let my defenses down.Maybe too far because my eyes begin to tear up.
“Hey,” she soothes, wrapping an arm around me.I cover my face to hide the tears that have become a permanent feature.“Let’s go outside.”Danika closes my locker and leads me down the hall and out the side door.We dip into the woods across the drive that wraps around the school, where an old bench has been lost to the forest.It’s where students go when they skip class, smoke or avoid socializing.
Danika is half hugging me, not fully committing.I wipe my face and gather myself before stepping out of the weak embrace.I know she chose this spot to keep me from becoming a spectacle.Adding to the rumors that follow me down the hall.But now that I’m alone with her, I’d rather be by myself.
“I’m okay,” I tell her.It’s still too raw between us, to be honest.“Thanks for checking on me.”
When she doesn’t move to leave, I make the choice to go.Before I take a step, she says, “I’m sorry.”
It takes me by surprise.So much that I ask a stupid question.“For what?”
She raises a brow.“Are you really going to make me say it?”
I shrug.In my defense, there’s a lot to choose from.Staying with Oren.Choosing him over me.Choosing Livvy at all.Ignoring me.I mean, I could keep going.
Or maybe I’m being petty and should just accept the apology and welcome my friend back into my life.
“We picked the most complicated men, didn’t we?”
“Boys,” I correct her.She laughs.
I sigh and plop down on the bench.It creaks loudly, making me second-guess my choice to sit.“I’m either the most oblivious friend or things have gotten worse since we started dating.”
Danika sits beside me.“Between who?”
“Everyone.You and me.Collin and me.Jonathan and me.”
“What about Jaz and Darcy?”
“Oh, they’re fine.”Danika laughs at this.“But they’ve always floated in and out, more on their own than with anyone.”
“True.”She tucks her hands between her knees.“None of this is your fault.”
“Some of it is.”I eye her sheepishly.“I should never have pushed you like I did.”
“You were worried.”
I fidget with the layer of lace on my skirt.
“You had every right to be.”
