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I stand there mute and numb as she fluffs her hair in the mirror

“But don’t worry Now that you’re a slut, I’uys who’ll want to date you For a night”

I flee I run out of the ladies’ room and out the doors, back onto the bus, and I cry

65

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO FILE back on the bus I can feel their eyes on er along the edge of the foggy glass Theis cold, so it leaves a trail

Chris slides in next tocray-cray”

Dully I say, “What did you hear? That Peter and I had sex in the hot tub last night?”

“Oh ht If I get in a good breath, I aain, I know it

I close my eyes “We didn’t have sex Who told you that?”

“Charlie”

Peter’shis way down the aisle He stops at our seat “Hey, why didn’t you co over the seat, looking at me with concerned eyes

In a quiet voice I say, “Everybody’s saying hoe had sex in the tub”

Peter groans “People need to mind their own business” He doesn’t sound surprised, not at all

“So you already knew?”

“So”

“Butwhere did they even get that idea?” I feel like I’s “I don’t know, maybe somebody saw us What does it even ht I can’t cry right now, because if I start, I’ll never be able to stop I will cry the whole way hoaze soet it Why are youto bottleneck behind Peter They need to get to their seats “People are waiting behind you,” I say

Peter says, “Chris, can I have my seat?”

Chris looks at me and I shake my head

“It’s my seat now, Kavinsky,” she says

“Co my shoulder