Page 24 of I'm Gonna Get You Back
Was that sexist comment seriously what he thought? What they would all think?
The group went quiet as the suggestion settled in, their eyes flashing at the blood in the water.
Reid’s expression shuttered. “You can’t possibly believe that.”
But it was too late.
They already did.
CHAPTER SEVENREIDNOW
TWO DAYS UNTIL LEGACY BANQUET
@haikuforyou
The rain falls in sheets
lands in droplets on my hand
together, alone.
KENJI’S ANNUAL LEGACY PARTYis already packed when Mitchell and I get there. I can’t believe he convinced me to come. I shouldn’t even be home yet. But this morning, I was standing outside my bio class fully intending to go in when that photo of the lake came through the group chat.
I didn’t think. I just walked straight back to my dorm, threw my laundry in the truck, and drove the four hours to Woodhurst for the first time since I left. Now that I’m here, I’m not sure why I was in such a big hurry.
A lot of people from my old team are catching up, and I already feel like a fraud walking among them. I could’ve at least put on a nicer shirt.
With its high ceilings and wide windows showing stunning views ofthe mountain, Kenji’s place is one of the nicest houses in Woodhurst. The Yoshinos used to run some sort of tech company before they moved here, when Woodhurst started to become this odd collection of families who have Bay Area runoff money and the rest of us who… don’t.
I follow Mitch down the carpeted steps to the basement where we used to hang out for parties. I weave through everyone as quickly as I can, my head swiveling around the crowded room, waiting to catch a glimpse of dark hair or sharp green eyes. I don’t.
But her car’s outside. I know she’s here, and it’s twisting me into knots. Ever since she sent that picture, I don’t know what to think. She hasn’t said a word since I hit the heart icon. We’re off to a great start.
Someone calls my name, and my gut clenches as I turn. It’s Nicole Kelly, a pretty redhead with a monster kick from the girls varsity team. We were always friendly, but we haven’t really spoken since graduation.
Her sunny smile as she approaches takes me right back to the training trails. How she’d yell at me between breaths, “C’mon, Rousseau, pick up your feet.”
“If you can talk, you’re not pushing hard enough,” I’d shoot back.
Which is exactly the kind of memory I wanted to avoid tonight, but I guess I don’t have a choice. She hugs me quickly.
“How’s school?” I ask.
Her hands stay planted on my shoulders, holding me a little too close to her. “The best! I PR’d at the Glenview Invitational.”
Jealousy ripples through me. “Nice.”
Someone walks behind me, and I step out of their way, subtly shrugging Nicole’s hands off in the process.
“Seriously, I still can’t believe I get to go there every day. Like, I think about it sometimes—if I hadn’t become a Legacy, I would’ve had togo to my, like, fifth-choice school. Instead, I’m training with the best. I can’t help but feel like none of this should be happening to me.”
Because it shouldn’t, I think. Nicole’s deserving in her own way, but it’s such a confusing thing to be happy for a former teammate when I know whatnotgetting the scholarship did to Clara. How unfair that still seems.
“HowisClara?” Nicole asks, her tone thoughtful.
I shake my head slowly. Hoping that’s answer enough.
She brightens. “Got it.Sore subject, Nicole.” She laughs, but I can’t even pretend to. “Well, you should know that my coach lost it when she found out I used to run with you. I mean, it’s not every day you run with an Olympic hopeful!”
