13. Chapter 13
Chapter 13
Sloane
" H ey buddy, how was your weekend?" Kurt asks as he slides into his seat next to me in French class.
I shrug. "Aside from not going to Homecoming, it was pretty good. The game was amazing, I'm glad we pulled off a win." I don't dare mention how cool it is that Tyler Finlay secured the win for us in the last seconds.
Just then, Amber Gates saunters into the room. She looks right at me and says, "I think we really helped our team get that win." She points to herself and her fellow cheerleader, Ramsey Huff.
Ramsey is so unlike Amber that I’m not surprised when she smiles tightly and shifts uncomfortably in her seat. “We have a great team this year,” Ramsey says diplomatically, then smiles kindly at me.
“We sure do,” I say to Ramsey, not even looking at Amber. “I think we have a shot at going to State.”
"I don't think I saw you at the dance, Sloane. Did you not attend?" Amber jabs at me while pretending to stifle a laugh.
My pulse races as anger starts to boil inside me. "No, Amber, I did not." I turn to Kurt, and thankfully, he starts talking so fast that Amber can't get a word in edgewise.
"Hey, have you heard that Dinosaur Jr. song on 99X? It's so good!"
I'm so grateful for his quick thinking. My pulse starts to slow back down. "Yes, I love it! I bought the album, it's so good." The anger that boiled inside me reduces to a simmer.
"They're coming to town in a couple of months, you know."
"Yeah, Tameka and I have tickets, and she's bringing her friend, Ray. Are you going?" I ask.
"Nah," he says as he pulls his spiral notebook out of his backpack. "Shelly has a big recital that night, so that's where I'll be."
Shelly is Kurt's girlfriend, and a sweet, smart girl. She is also a talented dancer. "You're such a great boyfriend," I say, thinking about the opportunity I might have missed back in eighth grade when he kept trying to get me to come swimming at his house. At least I have a sweet, quirky friend who loves some of the same music as I do, which is rare in this school. Besides, Kurt is total friend material; there aren't the feelings for him like there are when I see Tyler.
"Oh, Jesse Thatcher is having people over on Saturday,” Kurt says. “You should come.”
Jesse lives next door to Kurt and went to elementary school with us. Once we started junior high, Jesse's dad decided private school was the better environment for his son, and I can't say that I blame him. Our junior high school was a bit rough compared to Vanderlyn Elementary. I don't know if all those ruffians dropped out of school or what, but the atmosphere is different here at Dunwoody High. Instead of druggies and fights in the halls, it's just really cliquey.
"Earth to Sloane." Kurt waves a hand in front of my face.
I shake my head and refocus my eyes on him. "Sorry, um, I dunno. You know I'm not really a party person." Just thinking of going to a party makes me feel unsettled, let alone, a party that's bound to have people I don't know. I get uncomfortable in social situations and haven't really been to any parties, so it's intimidating.
"Aw, come on, you should go." Kurt encourages me. "I told you this year would be different. You said you’ve never been included and I’m your friend, so I’m including you. Plus, I'm sure Jesse would love to see you."
I cock my head. "You think?"
"Yeah, he always tells me how much he loved Vanderlyn and the kids we graduated with."
I look across the room, "Including Amber?" I ask softly.
Kurt huffs out a laugh. "Who knows."
"Do you think she'll be there?" I ask as I fidget with my pen cap.
Kurt shrugs. "Maybe, but don't let that stop you from coming. Shelly and I will be there, so you can hang with us."
"I'll think about it," I say. "Maybe I can convince Maggie to come with me." The thought of showing up to a party by myself makes me nervous in the present. I'd rather get a tooth filled.