“So, you’re done being upset at me then?”
“Depends. Do you have something to say to me?”
“Like an apology? Is that what you’re asking for?” She folded her arms across her chest. “I’ll apologize for the whole Mason thing if you apologize for not embracing the perks of being a popular cheerleader. You know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes?”
“You’re joking, right?”
Kendra scrunched her eyebrows, propping a hand on her hip. “Seriously, Mer? Just say sorry and move on.”
“I will if she will.”
The only thing I could manage to bring myself to do was scoff. I had no idea how to respond to that.What the hell was her problem lately?The muscles in my face tightened, causing my eyelid to twitch. Without knowing what to say next, a phony smile clung to my lips. I would not be winning any awards for my unconvincing performance tonight. As much as I tried to seem unfazed, shock and uncertainty were carved into my features. Luckily—or rather, unluckily would be the more appropriate word—Ryan wedged himself into our conversation.
“Ladies.” He smirked, his eyes roaming hungrily over our bodies. “Clarke, you look amazing.”
Was my hand colliding with his cheek not enough of a hint for him already?Get. Away. From. Me. Did I have to spell it out for him to understand? Or maybe it would sound better coming from another male for him to finally listen since it was clear he didn’t give a shit about women or their opinions. How did I tell him to fuck off in a polite and ladylike fashion?
Meredith nudged my upper arm with her elbow, prompting my response.
“Uh, thanks.”
“So, you ready for that dance now? You still owe me one from last night.”
A voice that sounded nothing like my own answered his question.
“Yes.” Meredith put her hand on my lower back, giving me a shove in his direction. “She’d love to.”
“No, that’s not—”
“It’s the least you can do after you slapped me.”
Kendra ducked her head next to mine and whispered loudly. “You slapped him?”
“Oh.” Meredith tsked. “Yeah, you definitely owe him one. What the hell, Clarke?”
The pressure in my chest was overwhelming, a tight and suffocating weight that made it hard to breathe. My heartbeat quickened.
I clenched my fist as my eyes darted around the room. Was everyone watching me?Why was everyone staring at me?The heat rose to my cheeks. What happened to the music that was so loud when I got here? Did they turn it off? It was quiet, but my ears felt so full. I pressed my lips together, the pink lipstick smudging onto my teeth.
I couldn’t have a breakdown. Not here in front of everybody. And I couldn’t afford to shatter the image that I had so perfectly crafted by slinging curse words left and right.
“I—I…um.” I swallowed hard. “Ryan…”
He seemed annoyed. “Well…will you?”
A hand slipped around my waist, engulfing me in a blanket of warmth. “Babe, there you are. I can’t believe you wanted to drive yourself here. You know I wanted to pick you up.”
When I looked up, I saw Elliot smiling down at me, his blue eyes piercing mine. For a second, I couldn’t think; my mind scattered like broken glass. He gripped my waist as I pieced together the puzzle he was hinting at.
Then, it clicked.
I smiled warmly at him.
It’s a fact that being outspoken was always far less daunting when you had someone else in your corner, and even though for me that someone was Elliot, it didn’t stop the confidence from brewing in my lower abdomen. Or maybe it was a swarm of butterflies waiting to erupt. Whatever it was, I harnessed its energy.
“Oh, you know my parents.” I shrugged nonchalantly. “They’d just ask a million questions.”
“Babe?” Meredith repeated her words, laced with disgust.
