Page 35 of Shy Girls Can't Date Rockstars
Dang it. I alluded to my grief again.“Anyway. He hates me.”
“I’m sure he was mad about his equipment. But hate is a strong word.”
“He told my aunt to keep me away from him, and he’s told everyone at school to avoid me at all costs.”
“What a jerk! I just down-voted the video.”
It causes a whisper of a laugh to escape me.“LOL. Thanks, Jill.”
“But seriously, why did he do that? You’re new. Does he not know about why you had to move?”
My heart swells. This is big for Jill. She almost mentioned the loss of my parents.
“He knows. He’s a jerk.”
“I hate this. You shouldn’t be near someone who treats you like this when you’re in your worst place. I wish I could hug you. I wish my family could’ve taken you in.”
I wipe away the sweat beading on my forehead.“Thank you, but social services made the choice for us.”
“I just can’t believe we’ll never go over to your house for dinner ever again. My mom wanted to cook the orange chicken recipe, but I didn’t let her. It just hurts too much. Your mom should be making it.”
The phone slips out of my hand and tumbles onto the tiled floor of the nurse’s office.
“Alice?” Mrs. Whiteborne asks. “Are you okay? Still feeling faint?”
I scoop my phone off the floor, hoping not to get in trouble.
“Don’t worry about that, dear,” Mrs. Whiteborne says in a hushed tone. “I won’t write you up for having your phone out.”
“Thanks.” I sit up on the bed, an ache stretching the width of my torso. “So, can I go?”
“Can you stand on your own?”
I swing my legs off the bed and ground my shoes against the tiles. Pushing off the bed, I stand, fumbling with my balance.
“Maybe you should…”
“No,” I cut her off, steadying my stance. “No, I’m good. Can I go?”
“Maybe you should wait in case your ride isn’t here yet.”
My stomach spasms, sending a shockwave to my knocking knees. I lift my phone and murmur, “I just texted them. They’re here.”
“Do you want me to walk you out?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and lift my backpack. “Nope, I’ve got it. Thank you for your help.”
“Anytime. Hopefully, it was just first day nerves.”
I leave the nurse’s office, hoping to maintain my balance on the walk to the foyer. I really don’t want anyone catching me and forcing me to return to my afternoon classes.
I need out.
By sheer will, I make it out of school and hurry down the front steps. I have no real plan, considering I’m supposed to have two more classes. My driver won’t be here until…
Wait, is that him?
Three black sedans are parked in the pickup zone. One has opened his driver’s door and is waving at me.
