I wordlessly tossed my bag into the back seat and slid into the passenger side. I kicked aside old wrappers and frowned, bewildered at my sister’s inability to throw out garbage. I didn’t understand how she could stomach sitting in a car that smelled like stale McDonald’s.
“This is really the only ride I can give you,” Julia warned me, barely checking when she started to back out from our driveway. “My classes start tomorrow, and none of them are earlier than 10 a.m. I’m not getting up earlier than I have to.”
I shrugged, rolling down the window a little to let in some fresh air. I already knew this, as Julia hadn’t stopped reminding me all week. The only reason why I was able to get a ride on this particular day was because she had orientation and I had begged her to drive me in the form of a ten-dollar bill.
One of the perks to having an older sister with a car had been the daily rides to school. I couldn’t stand taking the bus. I knew I would have to suck it up, though. I couldn’t find my own car for under a thousand dollars and afford the insurance. I would just have to get used to the bus again.
Julia turned on the radio, settling on her favorite channel, and turned up the volume. Sean Paul’s “Temperature” blasted through the worn speakers and she didn’t speak for the rest of the short drive to the high school. Julia pulled into the drop-off zone and came to a stop.
“It’s so weird, not going in,” she finally said, staring at the red-brown bricks of our high school. She shook her head then smiled. “I’m so glad I’m done with high school!”
“Why? You ran it,” I reminded her, surprised by her confession. I had always gotten the impression that Julia loved school.
Julia rolled her eyes, but I could tell she was pleased with the compliment. “I hardly ran it. It was fun, but I’m on to more exciting things! College is going to be amazing.” Julia was going to school to be a dental hygienist. I personally found her career selection to be rather perplexing. Julia had never expressed an interest in dentistry before.
I hoped that Julia was right about college being better; I would be attending next September. For someone who dreamed of becoming a famous singer, I had zero experience to prove that I could do it. I knew I was going to have to pick a more practical career path, like Julia had. I still didn’t know what program I was going to take.
My stomach rolled nervously at the thought, and I quickly shoved it to the furthest corner of my mind. I could not think about that right now. Just get through twelfth grade, I told myself. Still, I couldn’t silence my curiosity over my sister’s startling program choice.
“Hey…Julia?” I asked, biting my lip a little. “What made you choose a Dental Hygiene program?”
Julia looked surprised by my question and her lips pursed as she considered her answer. “It’s a short program and the pay is good. There are always ads in the paper for dental hygienists.”
“So you chose it because you knew you’d get a job?” I asked, trying to figure out her method.
“Well yeah, Everly. That’s kind of the point of college,” she answered, her brow furrowing while she considered me. “Why are you asking?” I arched my eyebrow at her in answer. Realization crossed her features, and she grinned. “You’ll figure it out. Talk to Mrs. Dunham, the guidance counselor. She’ll help you narrow down program choices and fill out the applications. But you don’t have to worry about that yet. Just try to enjoy your final year! It’ll be over before you know it.”
“I know,” I said heavily. It would be over before I knew it. “Good luck today,” I added as I reached into the back seat to grab my bag.
“Thanks! You too!” Julia smiled, her face alight with excitement. She hesitated for a moment. “You look good, Everly,” she added sincerely. I smiled my thanks at her, taking a deep breath as I pulled myself out of the car.
I walked up the steps and into the school. The school was crowded and loud, kids standing in clusters and excitedly talking about their summers and whatever else came to mind. My fist clenched around the shoulder strap of my bag as I pushed my way through a group of grade-nine students. They didn’t seem to know simple common courtesy of standing off to the side and not blocking the middle of the hallway and they glowered at me as I passed as if I were at fault.
I knew that my friends would be near our usual meeting spot by the cafeteria doors, so I made my way over to them, smiling when I caught sight of Aubrey jumping up and down with glee. Lindsay and Alicia were giggling over some cute guys who had just walked into the cafeteria. Those two were the definition of high school, boy-obsessed girls. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at their display.
“You’re here!” Aubrey squealed as if completely taken by pleasant surprise that I would actually show up to the first day of school. Her zest for life and her infectiously happy personality were some of the reasons why I adored her so much.
“You look…different,” Lindsay commented, studying me. Lindsay looked perfect, as usual. She tossed her dark golden hair over her shoulder, tilting her head as she assessed my wardrobe. I couldn’t tell if it met her approval.
“Thanks, I think.” I frowned, trying not to let Lindsay’s comment get to me. Lindsay and I had a complicated friendship. Actually, Lindsay had a complicated friendship with all three of us.
She was alright most of the time, but she had a tendency to say bitchy things and act like she was the queen bee of our group. Aubrey had even taken to calling her Regina George directly to her face whenever she became overbearing. That nickname usually made her back off a bit.
“No, it’s good,” Lindsay said, giving me a nod of approval. “I like it. I guess you went and saw Tina?” I nodded.
“Oh, I love Tina!” Alicia remarked, smiling as she touched her hair. She had gotten highlights and a cut. Tina was Lindsay’s hairstylist, and Lindsay had nothing but the highest praise for her. That meant she was literally a miracle worker, as Lindsay didn’t often have high praise for anyone—excluding herself.
I glanced away from Alicia, trying to hide my concern. She had also undergone a transformation, one that constantly alarmed me.
When she first moved to town, Alicia was chubby and wore Zellers brand clothes. After befriending Lindsay, Alicia’s clothing style changed to mimic her new friend. Lindsay’s constant commentary on Alicia’s weight seemed to have wielded a weight-loss journey. Slowly, Alicia lost pound by pound. After this summer, she was just as thin as Lindsay. Her weight loss alarmed Aubrey and me, but Alicia was adamant she was just on a sugar-free diet. Still, we rarely ever saw her eat.
“Yeah, she was good,” I finally replied, trying to smile. Lindsay nodded again, satisfied.
“I’m so excited for this year!” Aubrey bounced on her heels, pushing her side bangs out of her eyes. Her energy was contagious, and I found myself growing excited for the year, too. It lasted for about two minutes before it went up in smoke.
“Oh no. Whatever you do, Everly, do not look behind you,” Lindsay said, her voice low and her eyes glowing with excitement. It was the same look she got in her eyes whenever drama was about to happen. Lindsay loved drama, which was probably why she caused most of it.
However, when someone tells you not to look behind you, the very first thing you want to do is look. I couldn’t seem to stop myself from turning around.
Grayson Dixon was walking towards me. I blinked a few times, trying to clear the vision. Surely I was dreaming? But no, five blinks later and Grayson was still walking towards me…with Katrina Underhill by his side.
I hadn’t seen Grayson since the night of Zoe’s party back in June. He had grown taller, and his muscles looked lean and more defined through his t-shirt. His dark hair was longer, shaggy and nearly obscuring his eyes. It was carelessly messy, as if he had just rolled out of bed. His glacier blue eyes seemed even more intense under the harsh fluorescent lighting.
He had a new piercing: a hoop in the middle of his bottom lip that he swirled with his tongue as he listened to something Katrina said. He still ha
d the bar through his left eyebrow and he was now sporting slight stubble along his jaw, making him look older than seventeen. How was it possible that he got more attractive every day that passed? How was that even fair?
He didn’t notice me at first; he was busy responding to Katrina. When he did look up and met my eyes, a strange look passed over his face. As usual, Grayson was completely unreadable. I felt my face heating up with embarrassment, but I couldn’t draw my eyes away from his intense gaze.
Grayson’s eyes were my favorite part about him; they were incredible and captivating. They were an intense, icy blue color, almost like the color of icebergs in the Arctic Ocean, and they were expressive…so expressive. When he looked at me, I felt like he was communicating a thousand things without actually speaking. The only problem was, I had no idea what he was trying to say. It was as if he spoke an entirely different language.
“Oh, hi Everly,” Katrina said, her voice full of mock-pity. I didn’t like her tone; it instantly made me uncomfortable. Had Grayson told her about my confession? Did they laugh about my embarrassing crush on him?
Katrina was still as intimidating as ever with her dark clothes, black lipstick and heavy eyeliner. She’d dyed her usually black hair a deep blue, and she was wearing contact lenses that made her pupils appear cat-like.
She was definitely strange, and the way she was leering at me made me feel unsettled.
“Oh hi, Katrina. Sacrifice any chickens lately?” Lindsay shot back, glaring at Katrina with open hostility.
Even though Lindsay and I weren’t the closest of friends, she never hesitated to stand up for me when someone was making me feel bad. Plus, Lindsay disliked Katrina as much as I did…possibly even more. I didn’t really dislike Katrina per se, she just made me feel uncomfortable. And jealous. Lindsay, however, hated her. There had been a rumor in grade ten that Katrina had stolen a strand of Lindsay’s hair and tried to curse her.
Katrina sneered, turning her cat-like eyes to Lindsay. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she asked. Then she turned her head to look at Grayson and gently put her hands on his upper arm. “Come on, babe. Let’s go.”
Disappointment washed over me with staggering force. Grayson’s eyes snapped away from my face and to Katrina’s. He gave her a warning look, but before he could say anything, I walked away. I didn’t want Grayson—or Katrina—to see the pathetic tears that had welled up in my eyes. I headed straight for the nearest bathroom to try and regain my composure. After all, I really had no reason to cry. He was never mine.
“Ignore them,” Aubrey said, following close behind me. “They aren’t even worth the time of day.”
I took a steady breath, leaning against the bathroom counter. “I know,” I said, only I didn’t feel that way at all. Grayson was worth it. I couldn’t explain how or why, but he was. Katrina…not so much. I just hadn’t liked the sight of the two of them together at all; it tore me apart in the rawest of ways.
“I guess that’s your answer,” Lindsay commented, joining us in the bathroom with Alicia trailing close behind. She had known about my unrequited crush on Grayson and what he said when I finally confessed my feelings to him. “What a dick.”
“Crap. I didn’t even look to see what teacher I have.” I frowned, trying to ignore Lindsay’s careless comment. I dreaded the idea of having to walk back to the cafeteria, where Grayson and Katrina likely were.
“You’ve got History with Mr. Richardson, with Lindsay.” Aubrey winked. “I’m stuck in Math with Mrs. Hull.”
“Hey! I’m stuck there, too!” Alicia pointed out, almost whining.
“Yes, that’s awesome, Alicia, but we still have to do Math at this ridiculous hour,” Aubrey said.
“You’re right.” Alicia sighed, her brow creasing ever so slightly with worry. Math wasn’t her strong suit.
It was a relief to know that I had first period with at least one of my friends, even if it was Lindsay. I was feeling a little warmer than usual toward her, since she had stood up for me to Katrina—more or less, anyway.
The bell rang and the four of us left the bathroom to head to our classes.
Lindsay and I walked up to the second floor, to room 212. Mr. Richardson was writing on the chalk board, and the desks were arranged in groups of four. Lindsay’s face lit up, and she directed us over to two free desks.
“Hey, Kyle. Marcus,” Lindsay purred, sitting down across from Marcus Muller. I took the empty desk beside her, across from Kyle Russell. Typical Lindsay, drawn to the two most popular, attractive guys in the room.
“Hey.” Kyle smiled, nodding at me as I sat down. I forced a smile of my own, feeling self-conscious of my friend’s table choice. I couldn’t help but wistfully look to the empty table beside us.
“See any concerts this summer?” Lindsay asked, making conversation.
“A few,” Kyle answered, addressing his attention to Lindsay. “We mostly worked on our own stuff.”
“Oh that’s right. You guys have a band now!” Lindsay said as if she had forgotten. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes—Lindsay and Kyle had dated for a couple of weeks last year, and she had known full-well that he had a band. In fact, she dragged Aubrey, Alicia and me along to a couple of their practices in Marcus’s garage, obsessed with being the ‘supportive girlfriend’. “Are you guys going to sign up for the school talent show?”
Kyle and Marcus had started the band in grade nine, and they’d performed every year at the school talent show. They’d gotten better and better each year that had passed. I was excited to see them again, to see how they’d grown as artists.
“Probably. Any exposure is good exposure,” Kyle answered, shrugging. He smiled as if he knew that Lindsay was purposely playing dumb. “We’ve got a set coming up for a fundraiser,” he added, looking at me.
My lips curved upward in a tiny smile. He seemed to be waiting for me to speak. “Well, that’s awesome. Congratulations,” I said, my voice a little tight.
“Ooo…speaking of talent shows! Everly is going to sing in the fair this Friday,” Lindsay said, grinning at me as if she was extremely proud. I blushed deeper as Kyle’s eyes fell on me again, his expression one of intrigue. I wanted the floor to swallow me whole. I knew how lame it sounded, and I wanted to slap Lindsay for mentioning it—especially to someone like Kyle Russell.
Or anybody, for that matter.
“You can sing?” Kyle asked, one brow raised to accent his question.
“She sure can,” Lindsay answered for me, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “She’s got the prettiest voice,” I sent her a look, more shocked than anything.
It was uncommon for Lindsay to pay anyone a compliment. She didn’t seem to like it when she wasn’t the focus of attention and conversation. Her comment astonished me, but the odd glint in her eyes set me on edge.
Plus, I still didn’t want to openly talk about my ridiculous plan to sing in the fair talent show, especially not to two of the most popular guys at our school that were in a band and already seeing bits of success. I was mortified. I couldn’t help but wonder if that had been Lindsay’s intent: to make me look like a total loser in front of them.
“Cool, maybe we’ll watch,” Kyle said, his light eyes studying me. I made a ridiculously strange gasping noise, my face heating up with embarrassment. Yup, Lindsay definitely orchestrated this. I feverishly prayed that they wouldn’t, that Kyle was just being nice.
The second bell rang, cutting off my reply. Mr. Richardson went to close the door and a hand jutted out, stopping him. He stood aside to let the one lingering student in.
Grayson sauntered into the classroom, glancing around for a free seat. The only one available was one at a table beside ours. I forced myself to look away from him.
“Oo…dang,” Lindsay whispered, nudging me. Her eyes were sparkling with anticipation. Ignoring her, I gritted my teeth. I looked up directly in front of me, and saw Kyle curiously watching us. I quickly turned my attention to Mr. Richardson, and tried to ignore the
pang in my heart and gut.
Heartbreak is a funny thing. You feel it in your heart, but you also feel it in your guts. Like getting punched in the stomach while you’re simultaneously stabbed in the heart over and over again. You feel it everywhere.
I focused on Mr. Richardson’s wiry red beard and square glasses as he firmly shut the classroom door and turned to face us. “All right, settle down,” he said, smiling at the class at large. “I’m Mr. Richardson, and this is History, but you already know that.”
A few people chuckled uneasily, but I remained silent. I could feel Grayson’s eyes burning a hole into me even before I noticed him staring out of the corner of my eye. I felt like covering my face with my hand, but I knew how ridiculous that would look. Instead, I allowed my hair to fall across my shoulder, curtaining my face and hopefully obscuring Grayson’s view.
“First on our list of things to do is locker assignments,” Mr. Richardson started. “Since I’m also your homeroom teacher, this is the classroom where you get to do all those fun activities like spirit days and penny drives.” He said this second part dryly, as if he wasn’t looking forward to it. Clearing his throat, he picked up a stack of papers and started calling out names in alphabetical order.
Of course, he would assign the lockers in alphabetical order…which meant that Grayson’s locker was right beside mine.
I headed to my locker to secure my lock and ditch some of my supplies that I wouldn’t need. Grayson followed out a second later, holding a lock in his right hand. He gave me another peculiar look, as if he wanted to say something, but he wisely remained silent. He absently played with his lip ring, spinning the hoop. I forced my eyes away from him, closing my locker door a little firmer than required. I snapped the lock shut and quickly walked into the classroom, back to my table.
Lindsay, Kyle and Marcus had already returned to their seats, and the three of them were talking about some party that Kyle was going to have Friday night after the fair.
Damaged Goods Page 3