Page 19 (1/2)

"Well, I’h the door, hand in hand My eyes shot to Jared, who had his forehead leaned into the wall He turned around, and I noticed that the whites of his eyes were red Hands tucked into the front pocket of his black hoodie, he was breathing like he’d just run a mile Other than that, there was no e

"See ya, Jared," Ben called out as we passed, oblivious to what had just passed between Jared and me in the classroom

Jared didn’t reply but kept his eyes focused on er or cruelty in his stare

What was happening in his head?

And would I ever find out?

Chapter 19

"Tate!"

I twirled around, stunned out of rand she’d been standing there

I ran over to the CD player and switched off AFI’s Miss Murder "Sorry Just getting roove on" I smiled sheepishly After a practice where I could’ve run at least another hour, I returned hoht had lifted off of

I’d decided to shelve e a whole in my carpet with some horrendous dance moves

"Well, you left your phone downstairs KC called" She tossed ht "And it’s alo eat?" Grandrabbed ed into jeans and a t-shirt after I’d co practice Since Jared’s locker room intrusion, I’d opted to shower at home

"I’ll be down in a minute I want to call KC back"

Grand to KC caused uy that treated me badly, and it hurt that she could turn a blind eye to that But, I also realized the she and Jared were using each other In ti of theirs would be over As long as she wasn’t tea up with hiive hireeted KC timidly when she picked up

"Hey" Her voice sounded curt

I took a deep breath and let out a sigh "So, I hope I can cash in a Get Out of Jail Free card I’m sorry I said what I said today"

She was silent for few moments as I nervously drifted around my roohed Well, she was talking toto do with et over it"

"Apology accepted" I could hear the sht I’ll see you tomorrow I’ her in the background anyway

"Have fun And I love you, Tate," she said sweetly

"Love ya, too Later"

We hung up, and I already felt better Thank goodness that was done Now, if I was lucky, I’d only have to endure h, he’d s into threeso o of my bitterness about Jared If she wanted to rebound with hi a problem where there wasn’t one, and to save myself some stress, I decided to mind my own business She kne I felt, and I knew she wouldn’t betray my trust That’s all I needed

I practically danced down the stairs, feeling like the hippo that’d been sitting on my chest decided to finally ood ood today?"

"Yeah, actually It was great" Leting Jared kno er felt buried under his actions and le to maintain a façade

"Good What are you in the uess O’Shea’s is out" Her flat tone showed disappointment O’Shea’s was her favorite restaurant in our less than diverse town

"How about Mario’s?" I asked as I sat down to tie my shoes I loved their pasta with basil and olive oil The old couple that ran the restaurant eet and inviting, and ood" She grabbed her purse, and I snatched her keys I always had to drive unless the situation didn’t allow it Everywhere felt like forever to get to unless I was in control of the vehicle Luckily, the adults in ent

As she stopped to fluff her hair and button her blazer in front of the an and hooked my purse strap over my head

"Gram? While we’re out, do you mind if we circle so a car hadn’t been on my mind in weeks, but the idea spilled out of ue all day

I couldn’t pretend that I needed the car to get around After all, I had my dad’s Bronco The control I’d asserted today was like slipping into new skin Everything felt war a car of ht to the vein

Grandh the et a car?"

"Yeah, but I’ht now, anyway"

"You won’t want a car in New York City, honey," she asserted, turning around to open the door