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“Just let it go,” Toby tells me “It’s done It was an accident”

Now he’s saying it’s an accident? “Toby, this wasn’t any dauys—”

“Vann, please”

My angered gaze flits between each of the jocks, froh face to Hoyt’s stoic one After a glance at Coach Strong, who’s eyes are hardened, yet with a hint of uncertainty, likely worried aboutI don’t need to prove anything to these people I don’t need to get soft with Mrs Strong by telling her nice things and getting her to like oing to be the enemy in the end?

“Fine” I step away froet out of here,” I tell Toby across the table After he gives a moment’s consideration to everyone, he slowly follows me out of the silent, tension-filled house

As we descend the porch and cross the gravel heading to“Who needs them? I sure don’t” I scoff with frustration “You see how they look at me? You see how even your precious Jiically spilled the punch, like it’sup for my boyfriend? It’s bullshit All of it They all deserve each other”

“Vann …”

“Don’t worry about it When we’re back at et the punch out Maybe we can hit up one of those other things you said is going on around town Where’s that haunted house you mentioned earlier?”

“Vann, I’”

I stop in my tracks and turn to him Toby’s eyes reflect the same fear they did in the house He doesn’t see his arm self-consciously

My tone softens at once “Toby? What’s … What’s going on …? What do you ?”

“I … I want to stay” He clears his throat, kicks at soround, and continues to avert his eyes “I think it really was an accident And—”

“Are you kidding me?” I explode “That was not an accident Did you see the look on his face? On Julio’s stupid face? And the way he was like, ‘Oops,’ all nonchalantly? Toby, you don’t have to be afraid to say see-ya to these idiots”

“I’m not afraid of them”