Chapter 45 Tabitha
Mom beckons me over, and when I sit beside her, I watch Christie Klein take the seat opposite.
As I ready myself to talk to her, Penelope Garcia and her mom take the seats on my other side.
I look between her and Christie. Hmm. Christie might be the new it girl, but what does that really mean?
I’ve spent too much time sucking up to girls, who’ve made my life hellish.
I’ve said horribly mean things to innocent people, just for a shred of limited satisfaction.
Now, I want to befriend someone, just because her boyfriend has celebrity icon status at our school.
Gosh, Tabby, snap out of it. Right next to you is a girl you could genuinely have a connection with.
Someone who is nice, just for the sake of being nice.
Who goes to your dance class, so you know you have a common hobby.
Who will transfer to your school, so there’s hope of growing the friendship even further.
I turn to Penelope and smile. “Hello, again. It’s nice to see you.”
Penelope relaxes in her seat. “You too. I’m so glad to see a face I recognize. Coming here was so nerve-racking.”
“I can only imagine. I know these people, and they still make me anxious.”
“Oh, wow. So, there’s little hope for me then.”
I let out a faint laugh. “It’s not that dire. Honestly, the mothers will do most of the talking. I bet you’ll glaze over as much as I did during the last society meeting.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Like, six months ago? Mom and I are basically on a waitlist. We get called when other people drop out.”
“I hope you’re not annoyed Dad called and got me and Mom a spot at the table.”
There’s that word again. Dad. Camila’s dad. I suck in a breath and bite the bullet. “How is your dad? I assume he heard about Camila’s mom selling her house.”
Penelope looks at her lap. “Yeah, he’s taking it hard. I don’t think his ex-wife is backing down. She was screaming on our front lawn last night.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s so dramatic.”
Penelope nods, guilt blotching her face. “That’s my step-sister and her mom.”
“Overly dramatic,” I end the thought in agreement.
A server brings over a tray of hors d’oeuvre, and Mrs. Fisher takes a seat at the head of the table. Jamie then makes her way over to the table and sets her laptop down at the opposite end to Mrs. Fisher.
I gesture at Jamie, telling my mom, “This is Jamie, Kai’s friend.”
Mom nods at Jamie. “Oh hello. Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Jamie says, flushed.
“You know, I heard the nicest reviews about the Henderson function you catered,” Mom says, oblivious to Jamie’s nervousness. “I’m very excited to try this food.”
“Oh, really?” Jamie tilts the laptop screen. “Maddy, did you hear that?”
Jamie gawks at the screen and then jabs at the buttons. “No, no, no, no, no.”
“What is it?” Christie asks, but Jamie’s already dashed away, taking the laptop into the kitchen.
Mrs. Fisher eyes the kitchen door. “Odd.”
“She was having trouble with the internet connection earlier,” Christie says. “The weather outside is horrible.”
“Sometimes the internet in this town can be the worst,” Christie’s mother says with a chuckle.
“It’s better than what we had in Logan’s Point,” Penelope whispers beside me.
There’s a stab of pain inside me. The mention of Logan’s Point triggering the old pattern of ridiculing someone. I bite down and swallow the ugly feeling.
“You must be happy about the upgrade,” I say as sweetly as possible.
Penelope shifts in her seat. “Logan’s Point isn’t really that much of a downgrade.”
Wait, did I offend her? I was trying to be nice. Seriously, was that mean? Oh my gosh, do I even know how to talk to people anymore?
Jamie and the other server return from the kitchen with two more trays of food. Then the other server attends another table, leaving fidgety and mute Jamie staring at us like she’s on pause.
Come on, girl, speak.
Christie’s mom gives her an encouraging smile, breaking the silence. “So, what do we have here, dear?”
Jamie babbles something incoherent and fixes the collar of her black T-shirt.
Penelope’s mom leans forward, ogling the array of finger food. “It all smells divine.”
As if injected with a boost of confidence, Jamie speaks. “My aunt thought these were all cute and bite-sized, perfect for a garden party.”
Mrs. Fisher picks up a finger sandwich. “I’d agree with that.”
Mrs. Fisher gives us the green light to sample the food. Everything I try is incredible. Jamie describes each dish, and I focus on the flavors. Buttery, creamy, zesty, delicate, and some wonderfully crumbly. From finger sandwiches to intricate desserts, everything is a winner.
The other server brings over a tray of milkshakes, and Christie becomes an absolute hype queen. Jamie leaves our table, saying she’ll try to get her aunt back on a video call.
From our table, I watch Jamie struggling with the laptop.
Things between us were still frosty on the drive over here.
Kai is fed up, and his friendship with Jamie is straining.
I don’t think I could live with myself if they stop being friends.
I know she’ll always hate me, and most likely, Kai will resent me for it, too.
Jamie already ditched the guys at lunch, all because I told her I’d be at their table.
If Jamie continues building these walls between us, I seriously don’t think Kai and I have a chance.
I have to give it one more shot.
I tell my mom I’m going to check on Jamie and leave the table.
I gingerly make my way over and ask, “Still having trouble?”
Jamie stabs at the trackpad. “Yeah.”
“It must be so frustrating,” I say, watching her gaze harden with concentration. “I wouldn’t want to do a presentation in front of these ladies.”
Jamie turns to me with curiosity. She then turns to our meeting table and then refocuses on me. “So, have you been part of this committee for very long?”
“Kind of.” I tilt my hand in a so-so motion.
“My family skirts the line of being in or out with this league. People think high society is glamorous, but it’s mostly listening to ladies who love the sound of their own voices.
Afterwards, Mom and I are handed the most undesirable job for the event.
We’ll probably be given one of the worst tables at the garden party. ”
“Well, I’m just the help, so at least you’re not on the bottom rung of the ladder.”
I giggle, internally cheering that Jamie is actually talking to me. “My mom loves this stuff, so I act excited for her benefit. But it’s hard when I have three brothers at home who Mom doesn’t order around. Boys totally have it easier.”
“I don’t know about that, but they’re certainly easier to deal with.”
I can’t help glancing at Kai and Milo’s booth, and my gut sloshes with a wave of queasiness. “You and Kai are just friends, right?”
She smirks. “Yeah?”
I grit my teeth and hate that I’m about to admit this.“Sorry. I just see him with his arms around you and it drives me nuts.”
Jamie bursts into laughter, and my nervous system frazzles. “You’re jealous of me and Kai?”
Falling into a pout, I nervously twist my fingers around my curls. “How could I not be?”
“You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Sympathy warms her face. “Kai’s my best friend, who happens to be a guy. He’s like my brother. The thought of being with him makes me want to hurl.”
My giggles are both embarrassment and a hit of confidence. “Well, that’s a relief. My imagination has been going wild ever since you moved in with him.”
Jamie sniggers, folding her arms and leaning against the counter with a casual coolness. “Kai is definitely not taking up space in my imagination.”
I can’t help noticing her mind is going elsewhere. “But someone else is?”
Jamie’s breathing hastens, and she flushes with bright pink. Her eyes dart from left to right, landing on the boys’ booth as if asking for help.
Crap, I’ve hit a nerve. Why did I try to make our small talk more girly? She’s a tomboy, for goodness’ sake!
“Dang. I’m making you uncomfortable again.” The discomfort weighs me down as heavy as cement. “Kai told me you’re not into dating. I just have a habit of asking other girls about their crushes.”
“It just threw me,” she rushes. “I hang out with boys, so no one has ever thought to ask me that.”
“Yeah, I’ve never taken you for much of a girly-girl.”
“I wouldn’t exactly fit in with you and your friends.” She glances at our meeting tablet one more time. “I’m surprised more of your friends aren’t at this meeting.”
“Yvie has been to a few meetings, but her family prefers just to show up at the main event.” I sigh and take a beat too long before continuing. “Camila and her mother used to pride themselves on coming here. It’s so sad what’s happened to their family.”
“Sad? Maybe it’s karma.”
Tears sting my eyes, and it takes too many blinks to clear my vision. “You mean about how she’s been treating you at school?”
“Doesn’t exactly make me sympathetic toward her.”
“I wanted to talk to you about this when I brought up your mother’s picture.” I swallow hard, resisting the urge to retch. “Oh my gosh, I truly am sorry Camila brought it into school. She’s just so broken these days. I’m never able to reason with her.”
Jamie scrutinizes me, weighing up whether she should accept my apology.
I motion at Mrs. Garcia and her daughter over at the table. “That’s Cammy’s new step-mom and step-sister. She was absolutely crushed by her parents’ divorce. It has made her so angry and bitter. She’s always looking for someone to lash out at.”
“And I’m the easy target,” Jamie mutters.
“Mm-hmm.” I nod in agreement. “Camila’s dad took her to a rundown building in Logan’s Point that he’s redeveloping. That’s where she found the flyer with your mom’s picture.”
Jamie’s knuckles crack and her jaw clenches. “She can be angry at her dad all she likes, but she didn’t need to drag my mom into it. She’s not even around anymore to defend herself.”