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I stare at Hoyt in disbelief “Is what Julio said true? Were you the one who threw punch all over me at the Halloween party?”
“No!” Hoyt scoffs at that very notion “Julio … he’s confused He doesn’t res’ liquor cabinet or somethin’ He—”
“He took the fall for you,” I go on, trying to piece so benched hi Vann, but you were the one who started it all” I shrug his arm off my back “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He wipes sweat off his forehead, then sighs “Look, first off, it wasn’t supposed to go all over you I was ai for Vann …”
“Holy crap You did do it!”
“And it got all over both of you instead I was shocked, okay? I didn’t expect the entire thing to spill But Vann was just standin’ there, being s and showin’ off, kissin’ all over you …”
“I can’t believe you, Hoyt”
He huffs and, for a nant Then his whole tack changes and he becoht? I didn’t think ita difference, whether it was e the outcoround, proving to us all that he … proving that he’s just a … that he’s …”
Hoyt can’t see to make I decide to make it for him “Let’s just call a spade a spade, shall we? Hoyt, you were jealous”
Hoyt’s whole face scrunches up “Say what?”
“And maybe you still are You can’t stand that Vann is still onwith you You keep tryin’ to deny so like you’re … so to save me from Vann But the truth is, you wish you were Vann”
His face has gone as red as his shirt “You’ve lost your mind”
“And y’knohat? Maybe you were right Maybe I’ve had you wrong this whole tirade ere at our worst Maybe you weren’t trying to bullybetween you and me over the years has actually been a slow-motion love story … except the love is unrequited, Hoyt Nowak And it infuriates you that you and I only shared one stupid, less kiss in a bathroom instead of the special love Vann and I had—before you ruined it It infuriates you so much, you had to pull half a Carrie and pour punch on us”
It’s only now that I realize Julio has returned from his car, and he stands there at the foot of the ay, staring at us ide eyes, astonished at what he’s heard Hoyt’s face is contorted with a er and panic, rendered speechless by my tirade
I wouldn’t have said asdistance It wasn’t my intention to let that last part out, Hoyt’s secret—which he himself may not even have processed yet
But with it being too late now, and seeing as I aically unsay what I’ve said, I step back, allat once “S-Sorry,” I mumble, nearly inaudible
Hoyt clears his throat, scoffs at me, then shakes his head “No idea what you’re talkin’ about You’ve …” He lets out a laugh “You have lost your danglook on his face “Toby’s lost hiscarelessly at me “He’s makin’ stuff up Gettin’ hiot …” He clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair “Who’s got some kinda obsession with me, that’s what I think Hey!” he calls out at oin’ off to? I’ve got your bag of things at my house! Hey, Toby! Y’knohat? I deserved to have fun at that party! It was uys kiss on my birthday! Happy birthday to me!”
I leave hi to listen Even when I reach Main Street, I think I can still hear the ghosts of his hollering as he desperately spins together a believable enough cover-up for the truth, but I’ a lick of it
After a while, I can’t hear hi road that winds into my suburb is quiet and undeservedly peaceful I feel like I’ically able to walk I’eneral that there isn’t a single thought still dwelling in my head about Hoyt Nowak by the ti of literally nothing when I push into my shed, kick off runt I shut e to cry, too tired even for tears