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"I’ve thought about it …," she said "Ithe Loners? Isn’t that e fought for?"

He wasn’t going to beg her He wouldn’t sink that low He really wanted to beg He was ravenous to beg

"… And I know you probably think that nobody wants you because of … what happened," she said

"You’re right," Will said

"But that’s not true," Lucy said, pouncing "I ot a lot of enemies The Freaks and Varsity And the Skaters probably haven’t forgiven you for their boards, but--I talked to some Geek who said they’re desperate for people to join, and Zachary hasn’t seee"

The Geeks wouldn’t have Will Not after what happened in the quad No one would Lucy was fooling herself She needed to believe it He guessed she’d never forgive herself if she bailed on poor, little, epileptic Will

"Geeks, huh? That see for a coward," Will said

Lucy stared at him, confused

"That’s not funny"

"I’, that’s what you are"

"Why are you talking like this?"

"Think about it You always hide In the Pretty Ones Behind David Why not behind Zachary?"

"I’ to help you, Will"

"Don’t strain yourself"

"Don’t say this stuff You don’t mean it!"

"Why are you here?" Will said "Why don’t you just walk to the auditoriuht?"

Lucy didn’t answer She looked down

"Then go," he said "Get the fuck out of here I don’t want you around me"

"No!" she said "You can’t do this I won’t leave you"

She cried She was going to hate hiht be able to forget about hi, eyelashes clumped by tears "… and fuck off," Will said

She slapped hi, then came back doith a small, half-full backpack over her shoulder, and her phone lit up in her hand She walked right past hiround floor exit

If he was going to go after her, this was his chance To take it back There was still a , he hadn’t heard the door open or shut yet