Sydney
I couldn’t fail a class.
It’d haunt me forever.
And I would have told Maeve to come with me if she didn’t have to hurry home for a family emergency.
I could already hear the noise even before I reached the door—squeaking sneakers, dull, uneven sounds of balls smacking against the floor.
And of course, laughter—loud and very male.
Before I could let my mind stop me, I pushed the door open.
A round of laughter greeted me first.
Only it wasn’t directed my way.
The boys were scattered around the gym in little groups—sweaty, with their jerseys clinging to their bodies as they shoved each other while they spoke.
Dean was among the group gathered round Tyler like he was Santa Claus.
And I thought of just walking up to him and just shove the book into his hand so I could get this over with.
If they were going to laugh, might as well make it quick.
But then the door echoed shut behind me, and someone from the group turned, met my gaze, and turned back to the group.
I clutched the book tighter.
Laughter echoed across the gym, and more guys turned my way.
‘This was definitely a bad idea.’ I told myself, already stepping backward towards the door.
But then Dean detached from the group and jogged towards me like he already knew I was there for him.
“Hey, nerd.” He smirked, a water bottle in his hand and gum rolling around lazily in his mouth.
“You forgot the assignment.” I stretched the book to him, avoiding his gaze.
All I wanted to do was leave that place and crawl into the safety of my bed.
Where no one could see me.
From across the gym, I could feel someone watching.
I didn’t have to look to know it was Tyler.
“You know what you need to go with that good heart of yours?” Dean said, grinning as he collected the book.
I met his gaze.
‘Gym session?’
”Confidence around guys,” he said.
“You look like you’ve been slapped right in the face.”
My palm flew to my face against my will, realizing how hot they were.
But then I stopped.
Who the hell was Dean to tell me what I needed?
I forced a short-lived smile.
“Thanks for pointing that out.” I turned and pushed the door open.
“I’ll need that back tomorrow.”
The moment I was in my room, I dropped onto my bed, more angry than embarrassed.
Around guys like him who tear me down at every given opportunity?
I scoffed, pulling my hair into a ponytail.
‘At least he wasn’t mean to you,’ my mind whispered.
Doesn’t mean he wouldn’t laugh when Tyler announces I couldn’t fit through the school door anymore.
My phone buzzed beside me.
“Girl, I just got the perfect outfit for you.” Maeve’s message read.
I groaned inwardly.
She clearly wasn’t going to drop trying to push me into being at Brooklyn’s birthday party.
“I’m not going.” I typed back.
“So you think the whispers would reduce if you skip Brooklyn Prescott’s party?
I mean, your sister’s party?”
I paused, staring at the message.
Then I sighed.
She was right.
Because with all the excitement going on at school today, there was a high chance the gossip would be: she’s just a fat loser who couldn’t even show up for her sister’s birthday.
Than.
If the icing on Brooklyn’s cake was mis-made even one bit, I’d have looked like her fat sister.
I buried my face in my hands.
I still didn’t want to go!
A knock echoed on my door, and I lifted my head, expecting to see Maeve holding the entire boutique in her hands since I hadn’t replied to her message.
Instead, Brooklyn’s head popped through.
“Can I come in?” She asked quietly.
I just blinked.
I honestly couldn’t remember the last time Brooklyn was in my room.
“Yeah.” I sat up quickly, clearing the books on my bed.
“Oh, don’t worry.
I’m not going to be long.” She said, stepping inside.
I just watched her.
She was still wearing her cheerleading outfit, her hair packed into a low messy ponytail, showing she’d probably just got back from school.
“Some guys said you came to the gym?”
I nodded slowly, waiting for where this was going.
“So you’re hanging out with Dean?” Her voice was sure and unsure at the same time.
I blinked.
“What?”
She folded her arms and stepped closer, her voice soft like she didn’t want to offend me.
“Well, they said you were with Dean, so…”
”So you assumed I’m hanging out with him?”
Of course, she’d believe everything she hears about me without hearing from me first.
I scoffed before I could stop myself.
“We have most classes together, Brooklyn.” I explained.
“We were paired for chemistry.
I only came to give him my notebook.”
She paused for a second like my words were having a hard time sinking in.
Then she blinked.
“Oh,”
I nearly rolled my eyes.
Instead, I exhaled, forgiving her.
It was just so funny that she never seemed to notice or react when Dean or Tyler tore me down.
But one peaceful interaction with Dean, and she was knocking on my door.
She shrugged.
“Just, you know…be careful around him.
He’s…one of those guys.”
I forced a smile.
“Thanks.”
And that was it.
She turned toward the door.
But then she paused and turned back to me.
“So…” she said, stepping back towards me.
I braced myself.
The glint in her eyes was unable to miss as she stepped away from the door, her hands behind her back.
“I was wondering…” she flipped her hair like she were nervous.
“if you’d be free to come to my party on Friday night.”
For a moment, I waited.
I waited for an after reaction, maybe for her to add something more.
But she just stood in the middle of my room, all flawless in her cheer uniform, her slim legs kicked in front of the other.
I smiled.
“I’ll try, Brooklyn.”
”Yay!” she rejoiced, clapping with the tips of her fingers.
Then she turned towards the door again.
“Bye!”
As soon as the door clicked shut, I exhaled, something whispering that Brooklyn’s invitation was just to save her “assumption” about me and Dean.
My phone buzzed beside me.
“Are you still there, or you’ve lost your fingers?” Maeve’s message read.
I chuckled lightly, picking up the phone.
Then I typed back.
“I’m still not going, but let me see your options.”