Chapter 17
Ezra
Getting home after school is always loud in a familiar, comforting way. Mom bustles in the kitchen while Dad is on the phone with someone from the dealership, and Olivia hums through her homework with Chai Guy on her lap in her room.
“Hey,” I say, sitting on her bed. “Can I ask you something?”
She gasps dramatically. “Are you asking me for girl advice? What a shock.”
I groan. “Fine. Yes, it’s about Rue. She forgave me for hurting her in the past, but I’m not sure she’s ready to be friends like we were before, just yet.”
She lights up like a Christmas tree.
“It’s working!”
“What? No. Don’t say that. It’s not like I’m trying to play her.”
Olivia smirks. “Oh, I know. Because if you were, you’d already be getting benched. The only way you’re going to get Rue back is by being genuine.”
I frown at her. “I know that.”
“And?”
“And the nice thing is… it’s what I want too.”
She kicks her feet in excitement. “It’s about time you woke up. Just don’t be a clown with her like you have been with the others. Lose the game you think you have, keep being real with her, and she’ll let you back in soon. I can pretty much guarantee it.”
I leave her room before she can make a vision board or something, but her words stick with me even after I crawl into bed.
Because she’s right.
I’ve never wanted to be genuine more in my life.
The next day at school, Rue and I pass each other in the halls while I’m talking to Tucker.
It’s insane how fast my heart lifts at the sight of her.
And it’s such a nice surprise, because it’s still first thing in the morning, so now I won’t have to wait until lunch to see her for the first time today.
I stop her from passing me by sliding my arm around her waist. “Hey.” This is the natural thing to do because Tucker is watching, I tell myself. But deep down, I know the truth. I just want to touch her, to breathe her in any chance I can.
Rue glances at Tucker before her eyes land on my face again. “Hey.” Standing on her tiptoes, she places a kiss on my cheek.
My entire brain goes fuzzy, and for one reckless second, I’m tempted to pull her back in and kiss her for real.
But no, she wouldn’t want that. She said I could only kiss her when absolutely necessary. And as much as I wish right now was one of those times, it isn’t.
“What’s wrong?” Rue asks. Probably because I’m frozen like an idiot.
“Who, me? Oh, I’m just processing.”
She giggles, placing a hand over her mouth.
I gape at her playfully. “You're laughing at me?"
Rue grins. “Yeah, well, you're kinda funny. Sometimes. When you're not being rude."
And then she makes toward her locker. I don’t even realize I’m still watching her walk away until Tucker clears his throat dramatically. “I’m still here, you know.”
“Oh, I know. Only you could ruin a perfect moment.”
He laughs, and we both make our way to homeroom. I don’t bump into Rue again on my way to any of my classes, but at lunch time, I find her at the table.
I exhale a sigh of relief. She’s here. Unlike yesterday.
I still don’t know what that was about. Unless she really was trying to avoid me. Either way, apologizing to her felt like removing weighted clothes I’ve been wearing for years. I’ve felt so light and free since she forgave me.
When I sit next to her, everyone at the table greets me. Tucker is already sitting with an arm around Mabel, and Meredith is sharing her brownie with Carlton. Dot and Zayne are sitting on Rue’s other side, but I don’t miss the grin they both send my way.
This might be my favorite part of the day. It’s the time I get to really put on a performance as Rue’s boyfriend, since we don’t have any classes together and hardly anyone sees us pass in the halls. No one else is in the sound booth with us during rehearsals.
But here at lunch, everyone is watching. So, I thread my fingers through hers, resting our joined hands atop the table.
Rue smiles a little too tightly at me, making me frown. Is this too far? There’s no way…
“What’s wrong?” I whisper in her ear.
Her gaze darts around, never fully landing on anything or anyone. “Nothing. I, uh, just have a lot on my mind.”
I swallow. She must be talking about yesterday, and me asking if we could be friends again. “Rue…don’t worry. I’m not expecting things to actually go back to how they were between us. I know I still have to earn your trust back as your friend first.”
“Right.” Her stare breaks away from the brownie Carlton and Meredith are sharing. “Yeah. That’s what was worrying me. So, thanks.”
I smile at her reassuringly. At least, I hope I do, because my gut tightens with worry. What if she never lets me in again, and after we break up, I never get to talk to her again?
Rue nudges my arm gently with her elbow. “Don’t go getting all mopey now. What you said is going to take time to swallow. So just keep that in mind, in case I seem weird or quiet or… I don’t know. Defensive.”
I smile a little. “You’re always weird and quiet and defensive.”
She bumps me harder this time, and I laugh, the tension easing just a bit.
“But for real,” I whisper to her. “I meant all of it. And it sucks that I have to be the guy your mom worries about you spending time with. I wish I could do something to change that.”
She doesn’t answer right away, but when she does, it’s soft. “Sorry. Too late.”
“No, I’m sorry. I will never hurt you again, I promise.”
Meredith claps her hands together. “Alright, you two. Break it up. Secrets don’t make friends.”
Rue clears her throat. “I completely agree.”
I can’t tell if I’m imagining it or not, but I think she glares at Carlton. Or, maybe Mabel.
But I don’t have time to analyze it for long, because a Little Birdie post goes off. Even though we’re supposed to silence our phones at school, a lot of students end up turning their sound back on at lunchtime, so the notification alert practically radiates around the room.
Oh, great. What’s it going to be this time?
Like everyone else at the table, I take out my phone and read the post.
Dearest fledglings,
Though it troubles me to force-feed you such a juicy worm as this, feed you I must. For who knows the damage that could be done if this worm were to be left buried?
Just yesterday after rehearsal for Fallbrook’s upcoming musical, an anonymous bystander overheard Carlton Peters and Mabel Evans in a deep, heated conversation. So heated, in fact, that it couldn’t be said whether it was words being exchanged or emotions.
Has Carlton already tired of his girlfriend, our beloved Meredith Evans? And if so, what has led him to set his sights on her own twin sister?
Fledglings, I’m counting on you to watch these two like the hawks I’ve raised you to be. Your wings are ready for flying. This fearless flapper will be on the lookout too. For we could never let our dear Meredith be betrayed in such a way.
Yours truly,
Little Birdie
With my brows raised to my hairline, I glance up from my phone to see the expressions of horror, rage, and confusion on the faces of Rue’s friends.
I don’t even have to look around to know everyone in the cafeteria has eyes on this table.
I know, because I’ve been in their position so many times.
I never thought I’d have a front row seat to the horrible drama I know is about to unfold.
Meredith holds up her phone to Carlton’s face, as if he didn’t already read it himself. “What’s this about? Huh?”
He frowns and shrugs one shoulder. “A lie, obviously. Be cool, Mere. Don’t make a scene.”
“Pretty intricate lie. I don’t believe you.” Turning to her sister, some of the anger falls away from her face like she knows Mabel will tell her the truth. “Sis?”
“We were talking. That’s it,” Mabel says. With a confused frown, she holds her hands out like Meredith is a bear she’s trying to tame.
Meredith’s eyes widen. “So there’s truth in this post, then? It’s not a complete lie?”
Carlton wordlessly props his elbow on the lunch table to rest his forehead in his hand.
Mabel shakes her head. “I don’t understand. No one else was there with us. Carlton would have to be Little Birdie for this to get out.”
That gets his attention. He straightens to shoot her an incredulous look. “Oh, come on. Be real. I never entered myself, so we both know it’s you who’s Little Birdie.”
Meredith stands and gathers her things. Her eyes are so wild, she’s even scaring me right now. “I don’t know anything about either of you, apparently. All I know is that you pointing fingers at each other tells me it’s all true.”
She scrambles from the table. Mabel gets up to follow her, and Carlton stands as well, but Dot’s voice stops him. “I really wouldn’t, Carlton.”
He winces, then nods.
“Yeah, you’ve probably done enough,” adds Zayne.
Dot elbows him.
I risk a glance at Rue. She’s biting her bottom lip, her brows knitted together like she’s trying to solve a puzzle. She’s been awfully quiet all this time, but that’s not out of the ordinary for her. But still…this is one of those times I’d give anything to know what she’s thinking.