Page 20 of Okay, Cupid

“I, uh …” Her stare sends another shiver straight down my spine. “Nothing.”

“You signed up for band but don’t play an instrument?” Neve asks, holding up her hand to stop Alice from correcting her. “You signed up for orchestra but don’t play an instrument?”

I really should’ve paid attention to what classes I was giving myself. To be fair, I was in a rush. So really, can I be blamed? “All the other electives were full.”

“You should’ve asked for study hall,” Alice says sourly.

That’s when a Cheez-It sails across the table over me, landing right square between the three of us. We all turn over our shoulders, glaring at the table of boys, who seem to be pretending that they don’t know what happened. All of them except for Huy, who gives me an apologetic shrug.

My eyes follow his to Alice’s, who’s staring at him harder than I’ve seen her stare at anyone before.

“Ignore him,” Neve sings, grabbing the Cheez-It and hiding it on her lunch tray.

Easier said than done, Neve.

• • •

Unfortunately, being in orchestra means actually having to be a part of Hearst’s orchestra. Who’da thought? Mr. Lawson just sort of stares at me when he asks what instrument I play, and I tell him I don’t.

“Don’t play what?” he asks.

“Anything?” It comes out more of a question than I mean for it to.

“You’re serious?”

I shrug.

“Are you sure that you’re supposed to be in this class?”

I unfold my schedule from my pocket. “Orchestra, fourth period.”

He eyes the schedule over his glasses. “But you didn’t take orchestra at your old school?”

“This was the only elective left, that’s what Principal Kurt told me.” Another lie to add to the list.

Mr. Lawson lets out a frustrated sigh. “Okay, okay.” He moves his glasses, slipping them all the way to his forehead when he goes to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Let me think for a moment.”

I just get to stand there awkwardly while he tries to come up with whatever idea will save him the most pain. That’s when Alice walks in and I see his eyes go wide.

“Alice! Get over here!”

She doesn’t look too thrilled to have the attention called to her, but she steps in next to me.

“Georgia still has that parasite?” he asks.

“Yeah, she’s getting treatment for it.” Alice says it like this is a totally normal conversation.

“Okay, good. Because Jude is going to be your alternate.”

Alice looks at me and scoffs. “Jude doesn’t play any instruments.”

“And you’ve never given me a reason to put in your alternate. But you need someone to turn your music, and Landon has to get back on the xylophone.”

Alice groans.

“Alice, please don’t argue. I’ve got to find a place to fit Jude in.”

I don’t appreciate being talked about like I’m not here.