Page 9
“Weird,” Melanie said. “Did you guys ever text before the—um, you know…”
“No, never,” Rory said. “I’d try to get him to, but he always gave me some dumb excuse, like how he’s horrible at texting or he didn’t see it or whatever else.”
“Well, clearly he’s not so horrible at it now.”
Rory stared down at the single word. Jay was three months into his freshman year at the University of Connecticut, and no one from Scoops had heard from him yet. He just up and left at the end of the summer, leaving all of them in the dust. Leaving her without saying a proper goodbye.
Not like she deserved one—they were never an item or anything. Even though she fantasized about it pretty much every day since meeting him during her first shift two years ago.
“What do you think it means?” Melanie asked.
Rory felt herself get flustered. “I—god, I have no idea.”
“What are you two staring at?”
The two of them jumped at Tyler’s sudden appearance. He was wearing his football jersey, just like the rest of the team did for Friday football games. And tonight was a big one—the game that could qualify Haverport High for the state championship. And, to top it all off, it was Homecoming.
With Tyler’s huge frame towering over them, Rory almost didn’t notice Blake stealthily creep up to her side and try to peek at her phone.
She quickly switched the screen off, then shoved it back into her pocket. “Oh, nothing, just a silly TikTok.”
“But how silly?” Blake asked. “Gimme, I’ll be the judge of that.”
“No.” Her face heated. “Only girls would really understand it.”
“Why?”
“It’s about vaginas.”
Melanie laughed out loud, causing a few heads to turn toward them in the hallway.
Blake winced. “Yep, pass.”
Tyler leaned in, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Can you guys please not scream about vaginas so early in the morning?” he whispered.
“Aww, does someone think his rowdy, inappropriate friends are going to cause him to lose votes for Homecoming King?” Rory teased.
Tyler shook his head. “No, stop—”
“Wait, you call that screaming?” Blake asked. “I mean, I could show you screaming.”
“Vaginas,” Melanie said instantly, her voice steady, her eyes dancing with mischief.
“Vaginas,” Blake said louder, causing a few more heads to turn.
Rory inhaled dramatically, eyes dead set on Tyler. “VAG—”
Tyler lunged for her, throwing his hand over her mouth, his palm practically covering her entire face. Melanie and Blake burst out laughing as a teacher approached them, telling them to lower their voices.
Rory tried biting Tyler’s hand as he pulled away. He shook his head at her. “You’re a menace sometimes, you know that?”
She grinned. “Menace is my middle name.”
The warning bell rang, signaling them to get to their homerooms.
Tyler started backing away from the group. “See you guys tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it!” Melanie cheered.
