Page 21 of Always Choosing You

Rory tightened the laces on her cleats until they dug into the skin at her ankles. She had no reason to be angry, she knew that. Tyler had every right to be with someone who made him happy, especially after she told him she wanted to forget the “big reveal” from that summer. She just didn’t think he would move on so quickly…

She sighed and reached for her phone in her backpack to see if Melanie ever replied. She hadn’t shown up at all today, which made her worry. Even if she’d changed quite a bit since moving to Haverport, Melanie never skipped school.

She tapped the screen and found a new text. But it wasn’t from Melanie—this one was actually from Calvin.

It’s a bad day. She hasn’t left her bed.

Rory groaned, placing her head in her hands. She was selfish. Here she was, worrying about a boy she didn’t even like, while her friend was in bed mourning the loss of her twin brother. How could she bother Melanie with her silly little problems when her friend’s plate was already so full? She shook her head, feeling absolutely ridiculous, when another text from Calvin came in.

You could come see her, you know. Doesn’t always have to be me.

She looked up at the field, noticing her teammates now coming her way wearing athletic shorts and practice pinnies, hair in braids and tight ponytails, all ready for their last practice before the final game that weekend.

She typed back as they approached.

Yes it does. I wouldn’t even know what to say.

She doesn’t need words, just company. Come.

She tossed her phone into her bag and closed her eyes. She needed to clear her thoughts, get her mind off all of it. Off of Tyler and his apparent new girlfriend. Off of Jay and his constant texting and flirting. Off of Melanie and the fact that she’d been nothing but a horrible, horrible friend to her.

Her teammates’ chatter grew louder, and she heard the words Tyler and Zoe ring out. The only person who wasn’t gabbing about the budding new relationship was Helen, who seemed far too focused on getting ready for their last practice to care. Helen placed her bag on the bench next to her, rummaging through it for her shin guards. She dared a glance up at the rest of her team and, after noticing the way Gina was looking at her—like she was two seconds from asking Rory if she knew anything about Haverport’s new reign of royalty—she decided to take the conversation by the horns and steer it in a completely different direction.

“Can’t believe this is the last practice,” Rory blurted. “Let alone our final game.”

She noticed the way Helen’s shoulders visibly relaxed, like having to listen to the constant prattling and gossiping was the equivalent of listening to nails screeching down a chalkboard. Rory didn’t blame her.

Kayla groaned. “God, I know. Rehearsals for the dance team start next week and I’m already dreading it.”

“Over Coach Konicki’s incessant drills?” Gina teased. “I’d much rather shake my ass in front of the basketball boys.”

Kayla rolled her eyes. “Then you do it if you’re so enthused.”

Gina shook her head. “Nah, I’ll be slammed with yearbook responsibilities.”

Rory’s ears perked up. “You’re doing the yearbook?”

“Well, not yet,” Gina explained. “I’m going to an info meeting for it on Thursday, and then there’s some kind of test to see if you’re the right fit. But based on the few sign-ups on that sheet, I highly doubt they’ll turn anyone away.”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “What’s the test?”

“I think they’re looking for basic photo editing and design skills, seeing if you have the ‘artistic eye’ or whatever other bullshit Penelope told me.”

Rory frowned. “Penelope is in charge?”

“She’s the editor-in-chief,” Gina said. “Why, you interested in joining?”

It would keep me out of the house, she immediately thought. Things were looking…bleak. If Tyler was going to be busy with a new girlfriend, there’s no way he would choose Rory over her during his free time. And with Melanie struggling the way she was and missing school, Rory was looking at a very, very lonely winter.

She shrugged. “Yeah, maybe.”

Gina’s face brightened. “Oh, please come with me tomorrow! I need a friend to roll my eyes at when Penelope is being a tyrant.”

Rory chuckled. “Well…okay. But only for the eye-rolling.”

Gina threw her arms around Rory, squeezing tight.

“You ladies aren’t going to want to hug each other after today’s practice,” Coach Konicki boomed as he set down his duffel bag. “Drills. Now.”