Can story-time be over now? I’d much rather roam the mall without a destination in mind, then stand here listening to Brayden go down memory lane.
“Wait, did you go to North Ridge before you moved?” Gianna asks, sounding like a reporter at a flippin’ press conference. “’cause that’s where Hailee and I go.”
Brayden offers a slight nod. “I did go to North Ridge, yeah.”
“Shut up!” Hailee exclaims with wide eyes. “Megan went to North Ridge! Did you guys, like, ever see each other?”
Oh no. I don’t like where this press conference is going.
Before I can change the subject, lie, or pretend to pass out…Brayden is telling them that we used to date.
That he—and I—were boyfriend and girlfriend.
I might just pass out anyway, no faking required.
Gianna and Hailee both start speaking and flailing all at once, and I’m pretty sure I even hear one of them drop a curse word.
“Megan!” Hailee all-but-shrieks, looking at me with raised eyebrows. “Why didn’t you tell me that Brayden used to be your boyfriend?!”
I honestly can’t tell if she’s mad or not. Preteen emotions are confusing and scary as heck.
“It was a long time ago,” Brayden speaks up, probably trying to calm them down, “a really long time ago. But Megan and I are just friends now…right, Meg?”
Oh, forget about passing out, I’m going to kill him instead.
Except I can’t. Why? Because I agreed to Lora’s stupid deal. Which, unfortunately, was my idea to begin with.
Idiot…
So, I push all thoughts of murder aside, and force myself to smile. “Absolutely.”
He seems somewhat taken aback, but neither of the girls notice as they continue to ramble on.
“Guys, we should probably wrap this shopping trip up,” I tell them, even though they haven’t bought anything. “Are there any other stores you want to check out before we leave?”
Say no. Please say no. I just want to go home and wish this day could start over…
“Ooh! We should get fro-yo!” Hailee exclaims, her head bobbing up and down. “Brayden, do you want to get fro-yo with us?”
I did NOT offer fro-yo. Frozen yogurt was NOT an option.
“I’m gonna have to pass,” Brayden says with an apologetic wince, which totally looks fake. “Maybe another time, yeah? You guys enjoy the rest of your shopping trip.”
“Bye, Brayden!” they reply in unison, waving as he strolls off in the other direction.
He glances over his shoulder to give them a half-wave, then continues to walk away.
Good. Riddance.
“Fro-yo time!” Hailee announces, clapping her hands together for unnecessary emphasis. “And, Megan?” She and Gianna cross their arms in unison. “You have some explaining to do.”
Ten minutes later, I’m being interrogated.
“How could you break up with Brayden?” Hailee asks, shoveling more of her Very Berry frozen yogurt into her mouth. “He’s gorgeous!”
I give her a flat look. “Do we really have to do this right now?”
“Yes!” she exclaims, throwing a hand up. “Gianna and I want to know what happened!”
“You’re being overdramatic,” I inform her with an eye-roll, “and besides…I already told you what happened. I told you why I broke up with him, remember?”
“I think it was just a big misunderstanding,” Hailee states in a matter-of-fact tone, “I’m sure Brayden didn’t actually want to date other girls while he was still dating you.”
“Yeah,” Gianna pipes up, “it was probably like what happened with Nari and Chet last week.”
“They’re kids from school,” Hailee clarifies, undoubtedly noticing my confused face. “Basically, Nari and Chet were dating…but then Chet told Nari that they should take a break because he wanted to date other girls.”
“There was no big misunderstanding,” I reply, massaging the side of my head, “Brayden wanted more than one girlfriend at the same time. Trust me, I remember that part very clearly.”
I can’t even believe we’re having this conversation…
“Okay, okay,” Hailee says, waving her spoon around in the air, “touchy subject. I get it. But like Brayden said, that was a long time ago, and you guys are friends now.”
“Unless you still like him,” Gianna comments, her eyes now glued to her phone as she taps away, “then you guys being friends is totally a problem.”
Still like Brayden? Pssh, I don’t think so.
“Wait.” Hailee looks at me with creased eyebrows. “You don’t like Brayden still…do you?”
“Of course, I don’t,” I say, not hesitating to reply, “I got over him a while ago.”
“Are you sure?” Gianna asks, looking up from her phone. “I mean, you seemed a little uncomfortable with having him around.”
“Unless she really did get over him,” Hailee drawls before I can say anything, “but now she’s starting to catch feelings again.”
“Ohhhh!” Gianna exclaims, pointing a finger at her. “Just like in that episode of Cloverdale!”
“What the—no!” I almost laugh, even though it’s not the slightest bit funny. “This isn’t anything like Cloverdale, okay? And I’m not, in any way, catching feelings again. End of story.”
Gianna raises an eyebrow at Hailee. “I think she might be in denial.”
“Total possibility,” Hailee agrees with a thoughtful nod, “it’s a natural reaction.”
“I’m not in denial,” I say, letting out an exasperated sigh, “and stop talking about me like I’m not here. As a matter of fact, let’s just drop the topic all the way around.”
They exchange looks, and then start tapping on their phones.
I cross my arms as I watch them. “And stop texting about me.”
Chapter 12: That Sexy Laugh
I wish I could say that today is Friday. Because if today was Friday, then tomorrow would be Saturday…and I wouldn’t have to worry about an extra day of dealing with Brayden and school. Today isn’t Friday though, it’s
