Jaxson’s whole expression changes. “I really like you, actually, despite doing dumb shit that makes it seem otherwise. You’re the only girl around here that’s like- me. We’re not like them. Even if I do all the shit they tell me to do so I can try and fit in, I never truly will.” I nod my head at him, agreeing but give an expression that suggests I still don’t like him too much.
“So, what did you have to do for your inhiation?” I ask.
He smiles. “It’s pretty embarrassing. I can’t tell you.”
I hit him in the shoulder. “If you want me to talk to you again, you will.”
He nods. “Only if you come to my game tonight. I’m sure you’ve heard of the big game.”
I had. I didn’t think a pre-season game against a rival high school would be such a big deal. Apparently, Ryland and a nearby school called Hillview Academy always have a pre-season exhibition game. Bryce told me that the game itself has somewhat hit a superstitious level now. If Ryland beats Hillview in tonight’s game, historically they will go on to the championships. If Hillview wins, then Ryland, for some reason, never makes it to the championship. Apparently, this has rung true in every season since the two schools started the pre-season game, Bryce tells me.
“Football isn’t my thing.” I say smiling.
“I swear it will be when you watch me play. I need you in the stands tonight. I also need you to forgive me.”
I smile. “I think I can manage to do both. And don’t think I’m going to let you off the hook. I want to know all the dirty secrets of your initiation.”
Jaxson smiles back. “I promise, you really don’t. After the game there’s a big party. If you come, I’ll tell you anything and everything.”
“Can my friends come?” I ask.
“You can invite Arthur Cain to come, I don’t care, so long as you’re there.”
∞∞∞
Bryce and I sit at our usual spot in the cafeteria for lunch. It feels weird not having Danna with us.
“You don’t think anything bad happened to her?” Bryce says, concerned. I’m still thinking about how hot Jaxson looked today. “Hey! Earth to Elle!”
He repeats himself and I wave my head. “I’m sure she has her head dug into that leather book somewhere. She seems to think it’s her big story.”
“And you don’t”
I shrug. “That was a first for me, seeing people cloaked and carrying torches. I don’t know what exactly we saw last night. That grey book though, if it were so important, why would it be out for anybody to see?”
Bryce nods his head. He suddenly looks up and smiles. Danna brushes past my shoulder and sits beside him. She looks like she didn’t sleep a wink.
“Are you okay?” Bryce asks. “I’ve been trying to get ahold of you all day!”
She nods her head. “Fine. Just slept in. I guess our little escapade tired me out good.”
“So, did you read the book?” I ask her. She looks at me confused. “Did you find it? The big story? Are you going to become rich and famous and leave us now?”
She laughs but waves her head. “Sadly, I’m stuck with you guys. It was nothing. Turned out to be some rulebook for students from like the early 1990’s. Pretty boring stuff actually- and amazingly sexist. The school used to be boys only.”
“Wish it still was.” Bryce says with a smile. Danna hits him in the shoulder and he feigns pain.
“I just tossed it. Not worth what we got ourselves into last night. If I was smarter, I probably could have sold it to some collector or something.”
I tell Danna about the football game and party after. She reluctantly agrees to come
Bryce looks at Danna coldly. “You know, I was scared shitless after I didn’t hear from you. After what happened last night, I honestly thought something bad happened. I know I couldn’t talk you out of this, but if you pursue this story, of whatever the fuck happened last night, just leave me out of it.”
Danna gives a thin smile. “I promise. In fact, I think I’m done with this whole journalist phase. Last night I learned, it’s just not worth it.”
Chapter 14
The end of school bell rings. The halls are full of students herding in different directions. All with the same sense of purpose. It’s Friday, time to get the fuck out of school.
It’s also game night. The big pre-season game will be in a few hours. Jaxson says he arranged it for my friends and I to get a front row seats. Bryce told Danna and I that sometimes the pre-season game is more packed than a championship one, just because of what it means to the school if they win.
I was surprised by how much Bryce knew about football. I didn’t take him for a sportsman type. He laughed and told me he has had his sights on some line-backers for a while.
I text Danna and Bryce in our group chat, letting them know I’ll meet them at our reserved seats. I’m not sure I’ve ever had anything reserved for me before. I’m already feeling like a totally different person than the one who stuffed a bag full of meth down a sewer hole not so long ago.
I leave the school and make my way to the parking lot where I usually meet Thomas. I’m starting to not look forward to our drives now. There was a time I wanted to get to know my driver better, but after the incident in the woods, I’ve had a funny feeling around him. Now it’s business whenever I do speak to him. I tell him where I’d like to go and what time and location I would like to get picked up. He does what he’s told.
Maybe
