9781250209153

“But we just got here,” Tally says. She sounds drunk all of a sudden.
“Don’t you wanna meet my friends? Aren’t you having fun?”
I look around. The basketball girls have ditched us. Everyone else is
oblivious to our presence; one guy literally knocks Tally’s shoulder and
keeps walking. Is this how it’s been for her lately? If I had known a week
ago, it would have given me a sick validation. Now I just feel bad for her.
“How about we take a break, just for a minute?”
Tally looks around, too. I can tell the exact moment she realizes we’ve
been shut out, because she adjusts her leather jacket and avoids my eyes.
“Come on,” I say gently. “Let’s find somewhere quiet and talk.”
Upstairs, we find an open loft that serves as some kind of TV room. I guide
Tally to sit on the couch with me, our knees barely bumping through our
jeans. We face the bay window that looks over the dark backyard. Tally
takes another swig from her drink. I study the expression on her face, the
dullness in those once-bright eyes.
“Are you sure you’re happy, Tal?” For once, I’m not asking for myself.
I’m genuinely concerned about her.
“No. I feel like shit,” she mumbles. “I don’t like any of these people. I
don’t trust any of them the way I trust you.”
That feeling of compassion comes over me again. I want to comfort her.
I can’t remember why I ever resented her.
“I hated watching that video,” Tally continues. “You and Irene kissing at
the Emporium. Felt like someone clawed my organs out. I couldn’t stop
watching even though it made me sick.”
I breathe and take her hand to comfort her. “I know. I felt the same way
watching you kiss that girl at Charlotte’s party. It’s been hard for both of
us.”
“I don’t know how you moved on so fast. One second I’m talking to you
after the demo game, and the next, you’re dating this total bitch.”
I flinch. My hand goes cold in hers.
“You became someone I don’t know anymore.” She swallows and wipes
her eyes. “I thought I knew you. I thought we loved each other.”