Leah uses a damp sponge to apply the tattoo to my skin. “I’ve never noticed your necklace before. It’s cute.” She fingers the charms, straightening the necklace for me.
“Thanks.”
“Was it a gift?” Aubrey asks.
I bite my lip, nodding, but I don’t say anything.
“Who gave it to you?” Baily Eccles croons.
Oh jeez. The room gets eerily quiet. The girls have been great not asking me questions about Ford, even though I think most of them know about us. Everyone stares at me, curious, waiting for my answer. “Ford gave it to me.” The room erupts into giggles and squeals.
“I can’t believe you’ve kissed Ford Cross. What was it like?” A sophomore named Amy asks.
Before I can answer, Baily says, “I want Ford to kiss me.”
Uh—okay—no, that’s not going to happen.
“What did you do to get Ford to notice you?” Amy asks.
“To notice me?” I glance at Leah with wide eyes. She’s joking, right?
Leah rolls her eyes, then claps her hands to get everyone’s attention. “We should clean up and head over to the stadium.”
When we get to the football stadium, it’s already half full. I walk onto the track, looking up into the stadium, trying to find my family, but Scotty and Hank see me first and yell my name. They’re sitting in the front row of the family section. The boys jump up and down, and my parents wave. The football team is just coming out onto the field to warm up. I grab my phone to put in my bag when it lights up with a call from Jack. It makes my stomach twist, and I think about not answering it, but he wouldn’t call if it weren’t important.
“Hello.”
“Oh, thank god you answered,” Jack says.
I glance around to make sure no one can eavesdrop, but all the girls are sitting on the grass, stretching. “What’s wrong, Jack?”
“Are you at the stadium?”
“Yes.”
“I need you to come to the weight room.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Hannah, it’s Ford. Please hurry.”
Oh boy. Jack never calls me Hannah. Sometimes I’ve wondered if he even knew what my first name was. “I’m on my way.”
I take off running for the main entrance. “Clark!” Leah yells, running up to me. She opens her mouth to say something but then snaps it shut. I must look as rattled as I feel. My stomach is in knots. I’m freaked out and worried about Ford. Leah takes my hand, walking with me. When we get past the main gate of the stadium, we run. We weave our way through the parking lot.
“Hannah?” Someone shouts my name, and I stop, turning in a circle, until I see June running toward me. “Hey, what are you doing out here?”
I just shake my head and grab her hand. “Just come with us.”
I walk toward the gym doors, but Leah grabs my hand. “They keep the main doors locked but always leave this side door open.”
“Oh, thanks.” The door opens at the end of a long hallway, with the weight room at the other end. Tyler’s pacing back and forth in front of the door. He’s ready for the game in his football pads and black streaks under his eyes. “Hey,” I say, running up to him. His hair’s a mess. It looks like he’s been running his hands through it.
“Hey, Ford’s in the weight room with Jack.”
“Okay,” I glance at Leah and June. “I’ll be right back.” I open the door and walk in, then quietly shut it. Jack is leaning against the far wall next to Ford, who’s sitting on a workout bench with his head in his hands. A look of relief washes over Jack’s face when he sees me. He pushes off the wall and walks up to me. We don’t say anything, but I can see the pleading in his eyes that says help, my friend. He opens the door and leaves. I maneuver quietly across the room to Ford. There’s a wall of mirrors to my right, and I can see Ford’s profile. He’s just sitting with his head in his hands. When I’m a couple of feet away, the mat makes a squeaking noise, and Ford’s head jolts up. His eyes widen, his mouth drops open, and we stare at each other through the mirror.
He turns and looks at me. “Hannah.” His voice hitches with emotion.
