Page 44 of Walk With Me
“Yo, Sloane. So, you and UK are really a thing now?”
This is like the tenth person to approach me since I arrived at school. “Hey, Bryce. Yes, we’re dating.”
“Cool. She’s chill. Kiera isn’t going to be happy. That girl is legit crazy jealous.”
Ah, I forgot about her. “Did you need something, Bryce?”
“Actually, I think I’ve got an idea how to help you get Eden moving.”
“What?”
“The whole school is interested. People are even taking bets,” he says nonchalantly.
This wasn’t my intention when I came up with the 5k run idea. I just wanted to spend some time with Eden. Now her life is becoming the school gossip mill property.
Looking at the sky, I sigh. “Jesus.”
“Relax, S. Nearly everyone is rooting for her. Anyway. Does Eden game?”
“Game? Like Xbox or something?”
“Yeah. If she does, you’re on to a winner. My brother was getting chunky over summer. He’s a gamer. Spends hours on his ass eating chips. My mom wanted to get him a trainer, which would have sucked. Mainly because anyone she hired would have tried to sleep with her.”
This is getting awkward.
“I talked my little bro into using games to get him moving. Meant he could still game but burn off some Cheetos at the same time. Maybe that’s the way to go with Eden? Make it fun.”
Huh. “That’s…quite helpful. I’ll do some digging. Thanks, Bryce.”
“Eden’s helped me loads in class. I’d like to do the same.”
Wow, that’s…touching. I wonder if Eden knows she has so many people at her back.
Bryce fist bumps me. “See you in gym.”
The weather is nice enough to eat outside. Becca and Bella are alone at a table. My first instinct is to leave them alone because I’m still in the dark about what exactly is going on between them, but Pia doesn’t have the same reservations as me at all. She dumps her bag on the bench and empties her lunch onto the table.
“Hey guys.” I smile at them all. Becca flushes. “How’s everyone’s day so far?”
“Uneventful. Unlike yours, I’m guessing.” Pia laughs.
Eden appears and slumps down next to me. “Hey, babe,” she says, giving me a kiss. Our friends stare at us open-mouthed. “How is it front page news that I’ve decided to wear sneakers?” Eden continues, unaware of Pia and Becca, who have snapped out of their shock and have resorted to making kissing faces.
“Eden, you’re totally infamous for giving Mr. Parker shit,” Bella says. “I’m surprised you never got suspended, to be honest.”
“Nah, my girl is too clever for that.” Pia grins. “She participated. Barely, but it still counts.”
“That doesn’t explain why everyone is so bloody interested in me.” She holds her lunch between her thumb and index finger. Her nose is wrinkled. “Why can’t this school make a proper veggie burger? What is this?” She drops her usual flat-as-a-pancake lunch on the table.
Pulling out my lunch, I slide it over. “Mom made you a wrap. She’s got a ton of leftover veggies from the picnic.”
“That’s super nice. Your mum rocks.”
“Plus, it’s a helluva lot healthier than the shit you usually eat,” Pia adds. “Even the veggie burger is full of unidentifiable preservatives.”
“Are you both ready to tell us how this came about then?” Becca asks. She’s taken several chips off Bella’s plate. They’re very comfortable with each other.
Eden defers to me. After I’ve caught them up, Becca squeals again. “It’s like a fairytale.”
