59 “Travis? Are you kidding me?” I said, angrily. “Why are you calling him when you’re with me?” Courtney seemed to snap at this. “We’re not dating, Jason. You know this.” My heart dropped. How could she say this to me? After all of the great times we’ve had these past seven days . . . I didn’t get it. Was I nothing to her? Vince scoffed as he stood next to my mother. “You should’ve listened to me. I told you she was bad news.” I shook my head in disgust and looked at my mother for mercy. “Life’s a bitch,” my mother said, shaking her head. “You know not to lie to me.” “Bros before hoes,” Vince mouthed to me from behind my mother. I shook my head at Vince in frustration. “I gotta go,” Courtney said, annoyed, as she opened the passenger truck door and leapt out. “See you never,” she said once more, slamming the door shut. “But—But—“ I couldn’t find the words to say, so I didn’t say anything. Courtney leapt in the truck with Travis and they took way; tires screeching on the pavement. I didn’t understand how Travis was so close by. Maybe he was watching her. Everyone was left speechless. No one knew what to say. I found myself very confused by all of the events that came crashing down in the last ten minutes. Vince shook his head. “Good luck, Travis.” Why do these things always happen to me? * * * A week later, I was digging in my locker trying to find my Algebra book, trying not to miss second period. I had spent all night studying the formulas and had left the cheat sheet in my book. What the hell? I said to myself, it was right here. “Hey,” I heard behind me. I turned my head to see her. The player. The traitor. The hater. Courtney. I turned around so fast that several books flew out of my locker. I didn’t whip around to look at them, because my firm gaze was set on Courtney, who seemed to wear her normal, welcoming expression. “What do you want?” I said, squinting my eyes. This did not seem to shake Courtney up one bit. “Just wanted to ask how you were doing.” “Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “Cool,” she said. “Do you want to hang out later?” She pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows to try and lure me in. I knew this trick already—it was the oldest in her book of tricks. My heart jumped. My mind said yes, but my heart said no. I already knew what was coming if I said yes. “Why? Did Travis break up with you or something?”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzkyNTY=