Chapter Seven #2
It doesn’t matter that it was kind of a stupid thing to say. He’s the one being weird .
“No, stop. I’m sorry. You did sort of walk into that one though, come on. You’ve known me a long time; you know I wouldn’t act like this unless I had something to say.”
I turned back around slowly.
“Okay then, say it.”
“I, uh, don’t think you should go to homecoming with Rhodes. Well, I don’t think you should go anywhere with him, really.”
He spoke matter-of-factly, but I could tell his jaw was clenched as he relayed this information. Confusion set in first.
“What? Why? And how is it your business anyway?” Being offended came next. “You’re not like, my watcher. I can go to homecoming with a LARPer dressed as Sir Lancelot if I really want to. What’s your issue with Zack? I thought you were cool with those guys.”
He looked at his feet and grinned as if my response didn’t surprise him at all.
“Step down from your self-righteous soap box there, V, this isn’t an anti-feminist statement I’m making.
And I guess I am cool with those guys, meaning I can shoot the shit with them and lift weights.
I sure as hell wouldn’t let any of them date my sister. ”
“You don’t have a sister.”
“You are being ridiculous.”
“You are being cryptic, and it’s annoying. I’m going to the commons.”
He caught my shoulder before I had the chance to make a dramatic exit.
“I hear the way he talks about girls he dates. Or hooks up with. Whatever. I don’t want to hear him talk about you that way, or for you to get burned. That’s it. Okay?”
The softness in his voice surprised me, but it didn’t quell my exasperation at his condescension. “I’m pretty sure I can take care of myself going to a dance with him. I’m not your little sister, and that implication is actually kind of offensive. So, thanks for your concern, but I’m good. ”
“I hope so,” he replied, letting me walk away this time. My pace was near frantic as I let my anger burn through me.
How dare he butt in to my social life and treat me like a child.
All of my excitement about the formal was now tainted by his stupidity, and that made me even more pissed off. I didn’t get to enjoy the high of being asked for an entire day, and now my mood was ruined.
Ass hat.
I stomped all the way to the dining hall before I felt like it was out of my system. I saw Kimmy sitting at what I’d decided was our regular table, and I joined her, trying to appear semi-normal.
“Hey?” Kim asked tentatively, assessing my mood. She was the hardest to bullshit because she’d known me the longest. Well, other than Courtney, but Courtney wasn’t there.
She would totally have my back if she were, though .
I made a mental note to call her soon.
“Hi.”
“Everything okay?” Kim asked slowly, her hazel eyes searching for an answer.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need to eat.”
Kimmy looked suspicious but let it go, returning to her conversation about some sort of history project.
The chatter around us helped to bring me back to a middle ground, and I felt my shoulders relax.
Picking absentmindedly at my salad, I was brought back to reality by the obnoxious sound of a chair scraping along the floor next to me.
Thankfully, I looked up prior to making a bitchy comment to the holder of said chair and saw Zack’s blue eyes looking back at me.
My posture changed automatically, and I sat up, crossing my legs towards him.
“See? Not ditching you at lunch.”
“Nice to know you can follow through when you want,” I replied.
“Oh, I want.” His voice was low enough that only I could hear him. Or at least that’s what I hoped .
I caught a flash of red hair from the corner of my eye as Liv approached our table from behind Zack, making very awkward facial expressions. I briefly wondered if she was suffering from a stroke until I realized she was trying to mime dancing. By herself. In the middle of the dining hall.
“So, do you happen to feel like setting up any of your friends with my friends for homecoming?”
I felt like a seventh grader even asking, but it was better than enduring the wrath of Livy for the next three weeks.
“Ah, which friends?”
“Namely Liv. You can turn around and look at her if you like, she’s acting like an insane person. Perhaps it will make her stop.”
His eyes crinkled when he smiled, and he turned around, immediately causing Liv to revert to her normal human state and scurry to the other side of the table to join in a conversation with Kim.
“Yeah, I remember her. I’m sure Vader or Rich would be down to go. I’ll find out.”
“Why does everyone call him Vader, by the way? Is he, like, a Star Wars fan?”
“Well, I’m sure he is, because it’s Star Wars, but that’s not why he has the nickname. His first name is Garth. His mom’s a huge country music fan or something, I don’t know.”
“Yeah, still not getting the Vader connection.”
“Well, Garth is a really terrible name, but it sounds like Darth. So. Garth Vader was born.”
I giggled at that, having to admit it was kind of clever. Plus, Vader was a way better name than Garth.
“I’m glad I asked, I never would have guessed that.”
“Glad to be of service. What are you up to tonight?”
“Um, cheer practice until five, and then I’m supposed to meet with our contractor tonight for initial plans on the basement.”
“Do you think I could swing by later? Or we could go for a drive? ”
“Yeah, that should be fine. Just text me so I know when.”
“Sure, see you later, babe.” He kissed me quickly and sauntered out of the commons.
My mood had improved considerably, and I felt the awkwardness I’d been wishing would disappear was finally on its way out.
His kiss still felt exciting but now more familiar, too.
I sat back in my seat and dug into the rest of my lunch with a renewed appetite, motioning for Liv to scoot over to give her an update.