“Well, I’d better get going. I’ll call again tomorrow, okay?” Aunt Beth said.
“Okay. I’ll talk to ya tomorrow. Love you,” I said, then ended the call.
Blowing out a breath, I rubbed my hands over my face. Even though it was only a month away, it felt like an eternity. Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I hastily wiped them away. Calling Ellie would have to wait until tomorrow because I couldn’t handle her rambling right now, and I didn’t want her to know how miserable I was.
I slid beneath my blankets and pulled them up to my chin. But my not-so-brilliant plan to sleep the next month away was interrupted by another notification. Simon had sent me a message.
CHAPTER FOUR:
Social Pariah
I SNUGGLED DEEPER BENEATH THE BLANKETS and opened the messenger app to read what Simon had sent.
Simon: I WANT ICE CREAM.
I shook my head. That was totally random. I typed a reply, deleted it, then typed another one.
Me: SO GO GET SOME.
I hit send, then bit my bottom lip. Was that rude? Maybe that message wasn’t even meant for me. He was going to think I was a jerk. Or a freak. I groaned. Why did socializing with new people have to be so hard?
A moment later, I got a reply.
Simon:WANT TO COME WITH?
My eyes widened. First, he asked me to the concert, and now he was asking me to go have ice cream with him? What on earth was happening?
Me:SORRY. ALREADY IN MY PJS. I added the shrugging emoji and hit send.
Instantly, I received a grinning emoji followed by, TELL ME MORE.
I let out a surprised laugh. Before I could type anything, he sent another one.
Simon:SORRY. THAT WAS RUDE. I’LL BRING YOU ICE CREAM TOMORROW. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.
And then the little green circle indicating he was online disappeared. I stared at my phone in disbelief. Disappointment crept up. I should’ve said yes.
But then I would’ve had to ask Frank and Larissa, and I did not want to have that conversation with them again. Plus, I wanted to give Simon a heads up about meeting them and give him the chance to bail. I would not force him to meet my dad and stepmom; although, I had a feeling he wouldn’t mind.
I SHOVED MY BOOKS into my bag, stuck my earbuds in my ears, and cranked up the volume on my phone. The opening cords of Faithless filled my ears and calmed my nerves. Head down, I hurried out of the classroom and across the outdoor quad that was now full of students.
This place was tolerable during classes, but lunch was what I imagined prison must be like. Normally, no one bothered me, and I’m hoping that stayed the same, but ever since Simon talked to me yesterday, people have been whispering and snickering. And I knew it was about me.
Hitching my strap higher on my shoulder, I stayed close to the building and ducked around the corner. The technology and English buildings were too close together for any tables, which made it a great hideaway.
I headed for the small tree about halfway down and tossed my bag to the ground before lowering myself to the grass. Then I took a deep breath. Only two and a half more hours to go.
Opening my email on my phone, I scrolled through my messages until I got to one from the local animal shelter. I’d applied there last night.
Sitting straighter, I opened it and read it so fast I couldn’t comprehend anything it said. I forced myself to slow down and read it again. My hopes were dashed when I realized they’d only emailed to let me know the position had already been filled.
Ugh. I yanked my earbuds out and shut off my music. I lifted my head to see Simon standing above me, grinning.
“I promised you ice cream.” He held a second ice cream bar in his other hand.
“Thanks.” I took the stick and smiled.
He sat beside me and licked at his ice cream.
I quickly looked away, not wanting him to catch me staring. “How did you know I was here?”
“You always sit here at lunch.” He took a bite of the frozen, chocolate concoction.
Should I be flattered or upset at how much attention he paid to my habits? Clearly, I wasn’t as invisible around here as I thought.
I took a small bite of my ice cream before it could start to melt. Would Simon insist on sitting here with me from now on? If he did, I wouldn’t object—unless he decided to invite his friends. Or his sister. I frowned.
“I can see why you like to hide here.” He looked around. “It’s quiet.”
“I’m not hiding,” I said, but I couldn’t make my lie convincing to my own ears—no way Simon believed me.
“I get it.” He nudged my shoulder with his. “I’m just sorry I didn’t find this place first.”
I laughed. “Well, as long as you don’t tell anyone, you’re welcome to sit here with me.”
Embarrassment snaked up my neck and exploded on my face, and I focused on my ice cream, praying he wouldn’t notice. Just because he’d been nice and invited me to a concert didn’t mean he wanted to hang out all the time.
“Just you and me, yeah?” He nodded. “I like that even more.”
I took another bite of my ice cream to stop from grinning like an idiot. We finished our treats in silence.
“So, about Friday…” I picked at the grass. “My dad and stepmom said I can go, but you have to come to the door so they can meet you.”
“That’s all?”
I nodded.
“Well, I already planned on that. My mum would give me a proper arse kicking if I didn’t.” He laughed.
My body slouched with relief. But then my heart kickstarted, and my limbs tingled with nerves. What if Frank and Larissa didn’t like him? What if they said something super
