Chapter 34 Tabitha
“Are you serious?” I ask Kai the next day as we move through the school hallway. “You want Jamie to move into your house?”
“Temporarily,” he adds like it’s no big deal. “Her aunt’s boyfriend surprised her with a week-long trip to Hawaii. They leave on Saturday.”
“Wow, that’s soon.”
“The timing sucks,” Kai complains. “Just when Jamie is benched from soccer games and forced into tutoring, her aunt decides to blow town.”
“Hawaii for a week sounds romantic, though.”
“Yeah, whatever. Jamie found out last night while Milo was tutoring her. You know, when I was supposed to pick him up.”
I smirk. “Yeah, you conveniently forgot.”
“Jamie didn’t think that was cute or funny.”
I hug my middle. “Of course not.”
“Anyway, Jamie was ready to protest against her aunt when Milo opened his yap and suggested Jamie stay with us.”
Something sparks inside me. “You have a problem with Jamie staying at your house?”
“Heck no! It’s just Milo getting in the way that I have a problem with.”
“Oh.” The spark fizzles out. “A week is a long time. Won’t it be awkward?”
Kai snorts. “No. James has stayed over plenty of times. But the most has ever been a weekend. We’re really gonna have to con my parents this afternoon when we bring it up.”
“Hmm. Having a girl over for a week is a big ask. I don’t think my parents would ever go for it if one of my brothers asked for that.”
Kai interlaces his fingers with mine. “It’s not like I’m asking if my girlfriend can stay over.”
Blushing, I fan my face. “I know. It’s just you and Jamie are really close.”
“Like bros. That’s all.” His other hand curls under my chin. “If it wasn’t clear, you’re the girl I’m into.”
I let out a faint giggle. “I get it. Maybe I’ve become territorial about you.”
He releases my chin as we continue down the hall. “You don’t need to be jealous of Jamie.”
I squeeze his hand, hoping the words will sink in. “Mm-hmm.”
He gently swings our linked hands. “Are you still going to your dance class after school?”
My steps bounce. “Yes. I can’t wait.”
Kai grins. “That’s awesome. You sound so happy.”
“I’m sick of being unhappy.”
Kai kissed the side of my head, and I could just melt. “I’ll catch you later, okay?”
I squeeze his hand one more time and then release. “Okay. Can’t wait already.”
He smiles with that crooked grin, walking backwards and giving me a salute.
Ah, that boy.
Just as I’m about to let Cupid pick me up and carry me away, two pairs of shoes heavily march behind me. Before I can turn, a hand grabs where my arm and shoulder connect, and callously yanks me.
“Oof.“ I stumble on my footing as Camila stands over me, Yvette at her side.
Crap.
“What the heck were you guys doing at the dance studio?” Cammy complains, her hands planting on her hips. “I thought we all agreed to boycott that craphole.”
I glare at her. Why did Yvette have to tell Camila? What exactly did she think she’d accomplish?
When Camila turns to Yvie as well, Yvie crumbles. “We were just walking past.”
Who am I kidding? I’m mad at myself. I never should have trusted Yvette. I should’ve ditched her the minute Kai showed up.
“It was her boyfriend’s fault, anyway,” Yvie says accusingly, finger pointed between my eyes. “He’s such a meddler. Is there anything he does that won’t upset Cammy?”
Camila’s tone raises. “Kai did this?”
I look around our immediate area, and Kai has left the hallway. There’s a lot of students walking to their next class, and I don’t want anyone hearing Camila badmouth Kai.
“Seriously, Tabby, why are you with this guy?” Cammy double downs. “He’s so scary.”
“Scary?” I echo, choking on a laugh.
Camila’s glare hardens, not impressed. “Do you not remember all the times he’s threatened us with violence?”
Hmm. I remember all the times we twisted his words.
“Meanwhile,” Yvie says in a low voice, gesturing to the side. “Here comes his trainwreck sidekick.”
My blood runs cold and I forget how to breathe when I turn and spot Jamie.
Dang it. She’s clocked us and looks terrified.
I hate that.
“I don’t know how she can stand it,” Yvette says loudly, twisting her hair between her fingers and making sure she has Camila’s attention. “All that long hair in a gross, knotty mess.”
My mouth falls open and my gut tears open from Yvie’s foul mouth. This is all her. Camila didn’t prompt her to say anything. She did it on her own accord, and she’s doing it simply for Cammy’s approval.
Sick.
They’re both sick!
“I see that look, Tabby,” Cammy says, breaking my disgusted trance.
It makes me jump, especially the wickedness of Camila’s grin.
“The tomboy looks absolutely bizarre in a skirt.” Camila sizes up Jamie, making her squirm in fear. “They should just let you dress like the boys. You’d fit in better.”
I’m sorry, who were they saying is scary?
Jamie hugs her books to her chest and tries bypassing other students to get away from us.
I’ve got to do something. I’ve got to fix this.
The girls laugh at powerless Jamie, and I can’t work out how to defend her. When I glance around the surrounding space, the wind knocks out of me.
Milo, Kai’s twin brother, is witnessing this whole thing.
No.
No, no, no, no, no.
Appalled.
That’s the only way to describe Milo’s reaction.
And why wouldn’t he be?
What must he think of me? Will he tell Kai to stop dating me? Will Kai listen?
He’s his freaking twin brother! Of course, his opinion will matter more than mine.
Just as the hallway spins out around me, Cammy nudges me from the side, shifting my balance and grounding me back in this mess.
“She can’t help it,” I mutter. It’s almost a mumble, but it’s loud enough, so I power through. “She is one of the boys.”
Cammy bursts into laughter. “Well, she certainly has the figure for it.”
Wait. What?
No, I meant she wasn’t trying to be girly. She’s more comfortable with the boys.
Ugh. It came out all wrong.
Before I can spit out something that’ll fix this, Yvie falls into laughter, elbowing Cammy’s ribs. “What were you saying earlier about her mother?”
Jamie stumbles at the mention of her mother, almost dropping her books.
Cammy flicks her hair with a nonchalant shrug. “Oh, do you mean when I said Jamie could never pull off the tricks her mother did?”
My mouth falls open, and the gasp that flies out stings my throat.
Camila links her arm with mine and yanks me forward. “Come on, Tabby. Let’s get going.”
On either side of me, the girls let their laughter pour out as we move down the hallway, and I feel like garbage.
This is so fake.
They don’t think this is funny. They just want to mask their hurt feelings.
Yvette is dodging her guilt about going to the dance studio. Camila is fleeing her abandonment issues that made us quit dance lessons. All because she thought her step-sister was getting more attention from her dad.
Everything is so impulsive and explosive.
What’s wrong with me?
Why do I keep putting up with this?
I look down at Camila’s hand clenched around my arm. The same hand that smacked across my face.
“Where’s your bracelet?” Camila asks.
I fling her off me and march toward the staircase leading toward the library.
“Where are you going?” Camila calls after me.
“Nowhere!” I shout, stomping up the stairs.
How many times do I need to keep circling around her? I already told myself, she doesn’t get to win anymore. I’m not her pet anymore. I don’t want to please her anymore.
I rush into the school library and plonk down at an empty table. I’m supposed to be going to social studies, but that would involve more time near Camila, and I’m not having that.
So what if the school sends my mother a note? It’s an easy class, and Mr. Myers basically hands us the answers. I just can’t do school right now. I need an out.
I text Kai. "Hi. How’s history?"
"Full of bogus information I’d have to sift through to find the truth," he replies. "Do you have social studies right now?"
"Yeah, but I’ve skipped out."
"Bad girl. Where are you?"
"Library. I just can’t do Camila right now."
"I’ll try to get a bathroom pass and meet you."
"I’m probably going to see the nurse for a note so Mom doesn’t get sent an absentee notice."
Kai doesn’t text me back. I’m guessing he got clocked by his teacher. Hopefully, he didn’t get his phone confiscated.
I spend most of the period with my head resting against the desk. With ten minutes left of what should have been my social studies class, I drag myself out of the library.
Mrs. Whiteborne, the school nurse, doesn’t suspect I’m lying. If I’m being generous, I’d say my energy level is at a two. She comments I look pale and offers to call my parents to take me home. But I’d rather see Kai again.
I don’t see him until English class. It’s torture, being so close and not being able to talk or touch him. After class, he tells me he’s driving Jamie and his brother back to his place. It’s operation: Con his mom into letting Jamie stay over for a week.
I’m not onboard with the plan. Maybe it’s the way Jamie keeps giving me the stink eye any time she sees me with Kai.
He says, I have nothing to be jealous about.
But how can I not be? They’re incredibly close.
If anything went down between me and Jamie, Kai would take her side.
We’d be done for. Plus, anytime I stick up for her, she gives me no credit.
She just keeps glaring at me with extreme hate.
What’s even the point? I’ll never be on her good side.
And I’m done with trying to win over mean girls.
Mom drives me to dance class, prattling on about the upcoming society event committee meeting. I only catch every third word. My nerves about returning to class, and being an uncoordinated mess, have me going haywire.
“Mom, I don’t care about this stupid meeting.”
Mom clenches the steering wheel. “What have I told you about the bratty attitude?”
“I’m not being a brat.”
“You’re arguing with me.” Mom huffs. “At this meeting, I want you to sit there politely and not make a sound.”