Breaking Rules

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Breaking Rules Page 9

by S. B. Alexander


  “I was too. Are we still on for a trip into Charleston later?”

  She bobbed her silky head of hair.

  After I quickly showered and changed, Elvira and I drove into the city. The sun dipped behind the buildings in downtown Charleston as we strolled along the Battery, a historic defensive landmark that stretched along the Cooper River. The purpose of our trip was that she wanted to take me on a tour and I wanted to fill out job applications, which I’d done at two local art galleries.

  “Do you think you and your mom will stay in town after you graduate?” Elvira asked.

  Two weeks ago when Mom and I had gotten there, I would’ve said no way. Quiet towns, small towns, and claustrophobic places weren’t my shtick, but Mom and I were finding that the sun, the ocean air, and the plantation-style living were rather nice. The area wasn’t as small as I’d originally assumed. The city had a lot to offer, including a college right in the heart of Charleston, and I was digging the friendship that was blossoming between Elvira and me and even Reagan.

  I lifted a shoulder. “We’ll see. My mom’s marketing job will dictate what happens next. But I do plan on graduating.” Unless I didn’t make the grades or got expelled for some reason. I made a mental note to see the guidance counselor next week. My mom had been on me to see if the school could recommend a good tutor. I needed help with Algebra II, and I might need help in computer class if Train and I didn’t come to some form of platonic friendship, if that was even possible. The pull he had on me was powerful, and maybe he was right that I would cave and jump his bones.

  Elvira and I settled on a bench that overlooked the rippling water. “Are you going to college?” I asked.

  “Absolutely. I want to be a doctor. I’ve applied to Duke University and other schools. But Duke is my top choice. I have the grades, and my dad went to Duke. But I’ll be home during the summers.”

  “A doctor. Wow, girl. That’s awesome. I want to be an artist.”

  “Hence why you like graffiti,” she said.

  Oh my God. I hadn’t thought about tagging since the first day of school. Then again, my mom hadn’t given me a reason to, and no one had hurt me enough for me to lash out. But graffiti wasn’t about lashing out. I could succumb to peer pressure if my friends were into it. “Art isn’t just about graffiti, but the cool paints and the large murals make graffiti fun. So I noticed on the beach that first day that you and Lou looked chummy. Do you like him?”

  The water rippled in the distance as a small boat floated by.

  “He’s cute,” she said. “And he is the sweetest boy I know.”

  I didn’t know him well, but he had saved me from being crushed by his massive body. “Do you think Train still likes Nina?” I couldn’t read Train well. One minute, he was growling at me, then he was nice, then he was coming on to me. Case in point: I firmly believed he’d cocooned me up against my bannister because he knew about my mom. Over the last two days, I’d wanted to ask him again what he knew, but I decided that the more I pushed him to answer, the more he would use my fear of him knowing about my mom to his advantage.

  “You like him, don’t you?”

  “He gets on my nerves.”

  She bumped my shoulder with hers. “That means you like him.”

  A couple with a large-lens camera strolled by, the middle-aged lady pointing to something out over the water.

  “Physically, he’s got the looks down. He oozes sexiness. But emotionally, I don’t know. His ex is back. That scares me. I’m protecting my own heart, anyway. The last breakup I had ruined me. Since then, I’ve been a little shy of anything steady.”

  She patted my leg. “So sorry, girl. You two might be right for each other after all. You can heal together.”

  I giggled. “Are you a psychiatrist?”

  “Not yet,” she said. “Anyway, Train is a little rough around the edges right now. He assumed he wouldn’t be seeing Nina this year. Yet she’s back at school. And she’s a troublemaker. Last year, she had the nerve to show up at a party with the guy she was cheating on Train with. Train went haywire, beating the guy into the ER. Then Train was thrown into the back of a police cruiser.”

  “Yikes.” I might’ve done the same if I’d found out Nikko had been cheating on me. I couldn’t say for sure if he had. Nevertheless, the reason we had broken up was because he’d wanted to date other girls.

  “Exactly. And if she’s touting that her and Train are getting back together, then she’s got something up her sleeve.”

  “Hence why I’m staying away. Not only because Nina is trouble, but what if he took Nina back?”

  “He wouldn’t. I’ve known Train a long time, and once you break his trust, you’re history.”

  Maybe he was rough around the edges with me because he too was afraid of what could happen between us. But I wasn’t a cheater. He doesn’t know that.

  “Give Train some time,” she said. “We should go. It’s getting late.”

  I fiddled around in my bag for my keys as I got up.

  Elvira rose gracefully, smoothing her hands down her tan shorts before hiking her bag over her shoulder. “Since we’re talking about Train, I want to be honest with you.”

  My stomach twisted at the curtness in her tone.

  Her pretty features hardened. “I like you a lot. And Train is one of my dear friends. Don’t toy with his head. If you want Train to notice you in a good way, then don’t pull crap like Nina would. That display on the football field wasn’t a way to get a guy to like you.”

  Whoa! I wasn’t sure how to respond, although I didn’t disagree with her. But my ego and my anger had gotten the best of me. Nevertheless, hearing her words kind of stung. “I get how you protect your friends. I’m not here to cause trouble. And I kind of suck at making friends.”

  “I get that. You’re cautious.”

  She had me pegged. I half-smiled, but I was throwing up inside. Normally, others didn’t see the true me, except my mom, and it felt weird.

  The car ride home was somber as we listened to music. I’d been quiet since Elvira gave me her two cents. As much as I was screwing with Train’s head, he was also playing with mine.

  His words rang in my head. Stop football, and I won’t tell people about your mom. Not that he had any leverage over that threat anymore.

  “I upset you, didn’t I?” Elvira asked.

  Gripping the steering wheel as though I were trying to crush it, I wheeled into our development. “Why do you think that?”

  “Because your knuckles are bright white.” Elvira started to laugh, like uncontrollable laughter. She patted her wet eyes. “Relax, Montana. I’m not out to get you. I’m only being a true friend.”

  Maybe that was my problem. I never really had a true friend. The moment anyone got close, I pushed them away.

  After several turns, I pulled up in front of Elvira’s house. “True friends don’t mock.”

  “I’m sorry for laughing.” Her pink lips curled downward. “But I’m not sorry for speaking the truth. I’ll see you in school.” Then she got out of the car, leaving me dumbfounded.

  I navigated the streets until I was parked in my driveway, staring at my white knuckles. At every school I’d attended, I had been able to blend in, even with my spunky attitude. But at Palmetto High, not so much. You can’t blend in if you make a fool out of yourself on the football field. Whatever. I couldn’t fault Elvira for speaking her mind. I did the same. We were alike. She had moxie, like me. She’d been the one to ram the door into my head—by accident, of course. She’d been the one to tell me outright that she had to pee. Kids didn’t tell strangers that much personal information, like I had done with Train when I told him about my jumanji.

  As I got out of the car, I lost all thought when I came face-to-face with Lucy Everly and my mom. I should’ve questioned what Train’s mom was doing at my house. His dad had every reason to visit us to examine our air conditioner, but Lucy? Instead, I said, “You’re walking.” I quickly covered my mouth
then lowered my hand. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

  She beamed from ear to ear. “That’s okay. I get that reaction a lot.”

  My mom appeared confused.

  “I didn’t tell you, Georgia. I sometimes use a wheelchair. My rheumatoid arthritis can get the best of me.” Lucy set her sights on me. “I’m also surprised you didn’t ask why I was in a wheelchair when you were at the house the other day.”

  “It’s none of my business,” I said as I spied a proud smile on Mom.

  “All the more reason you and Train would be a good fit for the debutante ball.”

  I reared back. “Come again?” Nina had said something about the debutante ball and going with Train.

  She glided up and took one of my hands. “Your mom will explain everything.”

  My mom had better do more than explain. I hope she told Lucy I didn’t do balls or whatever she’d said.

  “It was nice chatting, Georgia. We’ll talk soon.” Then she walked to her Mercedes as though she were modeling her cute leather sandals and crisp outfit, which included a sleeveless white blouse and a knee-length skirt.

  My mom waved at her. Once Lucy was gone, my mom sat on the top step then patted the spot beside her. “This may sound weird.” She twisted her hair up on her head then secured it with a band she had on her wrist. “I’ve met Train. I’ve met Mr. Everly, who came by with his AC man this morning, and now Lucy. I think the universe is trying to tell us something about the Everly family.”

  I cozied up next to her. “Are you trying to tell me you’ve given my hand in marriage to Train?” I asked jokingly.

  Our neighbor, an older gentleman across the street, was washing his truck.

  “Well—”

  I chomped on a nail. “Mom, what did you do?”

  “Lucy sits on the debutante committee. One of the moms had to back out, and she asked me to help. She thought since I was new to the area, that maybe I would like to get to know some parents. She also wants Train to go to the ball, but she knows he’s not interested, although she believes that you might be able to persuade him.”

  I laughed as hard as Elvira had been laughing at me. “The boy hates me.”

  “According to Lucy, he’s quite taken with you. I do have to agree. I saw how he was looking at you when he was here.”

  Tears streamed down my face from giggling. “Why does she want him to go to a dance?”

  She shrugged. “Train’s parents are divorced, and according to her, he’s been in a bad place, even more so since he broke up with his girlfriend. So she thinks a fresh and pretty face will brighten his spirits.”

  If Nina has her way, then Train would have a date to the ball. “I don’t understand how I will be able to convince Train Everly to go to a shindig.”

  “Honey, don’t shortchange yourself. You are sweet, well mannered when you want to be, and you certainly are gorgeous. I’m only relaying our conversation. I’m not going to force you to go or do anything you don’t want to do. I did offer to help out with decorating, though. If we’re going to live here, then let’s build that foundation we talked about.”

  Train wouldn’t be taking me to the dance.

  “On another topic, I tried out for football today.”

  “What?” Mom’s voice sounded like nails on a chalkboard.

  “I shouldn’t have done that. I looked awful out there. Actually, my throw was great, thanks to your ex, Joey Dennison.”

  Mom sighed. “He was a good player. But that’s not the point. Tell me more about the tryout.”

  “Coach was interested in me if I could kick, and I can’t. I only tried out because Train made me mad and because one of the guys on the team made a chauvinistic comment on the beach the other day about how girls don’t belong on the football field.”

  She draped her arm around me. “Please tell me you apologized to the coach for wasting his time.”

  “Yes, ma’am. But I might be ridiculed in school tomorrow.”

  She pulled me to her. “I love you.”

  Whether people looked at me funny or whispered about me at school the next day, I would worry about that tomorrow. For the moment, I was with my mom, and it was one of the best moments I’d had in a long time. “Ditto.”

  Chapter Eleven

  MONTANA

  The humidity the next morning on the way to school hung in the air like a thick winter blanket. I thought back to New York and how the weather in September would be cool or even cold. Part of me wished for cold. I debated if I should beg my mom to let me miss school for one day. Then I could stay snuggled up under my blankets in our very cold house. Mom had lowered the thermostat before she went to bed, which helped me sleep for the first time since we’d moved in. It also helped that my sunburned shoulders were no longer bothering me.

  I smelled my armpits as I was approaching school.

  “Did you not use deodorant this morning?” Reagan asked, her glossy lips shining in the morning sun as she came up beside me.

  Thankfully, my scented cucumber antiperspirant was working, at least for now. “How do you stand the heat?”

  With both hands, she motioned to her blue shirt. “Cotton, and I’ve lived here all my life. What’s up with your blouse buttoned up to your neck?” She arched her eyebrow. “Are you hiding a hickey?”

  I touched my neck. “Oh God. No. I’m not dating anyone.” Although I wouldn’t mind Train’s lips on my neck. “The slutty look doesn’t suit me.” I had dressed in some revealing blouses lately, hoping to garner Train’s attention, but our little exchange on the football field yesterday had been the extent of our interaction since I’d been to his house. But something had to give soon since we had our computer project to work on.

  “I beg to differ. Your wardrobe has been tasteful compared to other girls in this school, although not today.”

  “You don’t like my ankle-length skirt and blouse?” I asked in a playful tone.

  She scrunched her nose. “If you’re going for the ‘I’m a virgin’ look, then it works.”

  I was about to make a retort, when a group of girls we passed on the front lawn of the school pointed at us, snickering. Maybe they had something to say about my outfit. Or maybe word had gotten around about my pathetic display on the football field yesterday.

  “I heard through the grapevine about your football tryout,” Reagan said.

  “Yeah. I think everyone else has too.” I caught several other kids gawking our way and wasn’t watching in front of me. I bumped into a boy with a carrottopped head of hair. “I’m sorry.”

  He stared at me like a deer in headlights.

  Reagan tapped him on the shoulder. “Drew, are you okay?”

  “Oh, you’re the boy who had the experiment gone bad,” I said.

  His freckled face became as red as his hair. “It was an accident. So you’re prettier than my cousin gives you credit for.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Who is your cousin?”

  “Nina,” Drew and Reagan said at the same time.

  I wasn’t sure what to make of that comment. “Thank you, I guess.”

  He tucked his head to his chest and darted off.

  “That was weird,” I said to Reagan.

  “Drew is a nerd, if you haven’t noticed.”

  I would have said shy. “I guess Nina doesn’t think I’m pretty.”

  “Not if you like Train. You’re her number-one enemy if she knows you like him.”

  “She cheated on him,” I said more to myself than her.

  “That’s Nina. She probably thinks she can get Train back.”

  There was no “probably” about it. She firmly believed that Train would take her back. I hoped he wouldn’t. Elvira swore Train would never go back to Nina. Even Train had said something similar to Nina during our conversation with her behind her house. But people gave others second chances. Right now, I couldn’t worry about Train or Nina. I had a computer project and other schoolwork to think about.

  Reagan and I started
for the entrance.

  “On a different topic, what books of Casey Stewart’s have you read?” I wasn’t about to share the truth. I was still leery on the subject of my mom. But I was curious.

  The halls were teaming with kids talking, banging their lockers shut, and hurrying by as though they were late for a fire even though we had about fifteen minutes before class started. Reagan and I banked left toward computer class. The halls quieted as all eyes diverted to Reagan and me. Whispers hummed as we passed.

  “I guess the whole school heard of your tryout,” Reagan said.

  “Or they’re ogling my virgin outfit.”

  When we approached computer class, a boy of average height with long sideburns pushed off a locker he’d been leaning against. “Montana,” he said, undressing me with his eyes.

  I glared at him. “Who wants to know?” Be nice.

  “I’m Ferris. I was told you needed a tutor.”

  My eyebrows went up as I lost my snarky attitude. “Ferris?”

  “Don’t you dare laugh at my name. I’ve been in hell since I entered grade school.”

  I pressed my lips tightly together so I wouldn’t break out in hysterics. “Except the sideburns, you remind me of Matthew Broderick in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”

  “No, I don’t. Look, Ms. Shepard told me how to find you. She also explained you need a tutor. Do you?”

  My mom had mentioned last night that she had spoken to the guidance counselor but told me to check in with Ms. Shepard. “I do. Can we meet after school on Monday?”

  “I’ll meet you in the library, and don’t be late.” He bounced off.

  “He’s up for valedictorian,” Reagan said.

  I guessed I was in the right hands, then.

  When we ambled into class, Reagan poked me in the arm. “That’s the last Casey Stewart book I’ve read.” She pointed to the back of the classroom.

  It took me a second to realize she was not only pointing at my mom’s book, whose face was plastered on the back cover, but at the person who was reading My Heart to Take. I shook my head as I squeezed my butt cheeks so I wouldn’t poop my pants.

 

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