I turn to join Sophia—there’s a free seat right behind her.
“You signed up for history?”
I shrug. “I had a free period, and I certainly wasn’t going to take another year of chemistry.”
She laughs, knowing how terrible I am at most sciences. “Hey, where were you at lunch time, by the way?”
Mr. Michaels walks in in time to spare me needing to answer.
At least our class doesn’t seem boring. As Ms. Casey said, not a lot of seniors take history for a fourth year. We’ve already all studied the usual. Mr. Michaels goes in depth about recent history—the 1900s. Most teachers don’t feel comfortable reminding us how recently women became able to vote, how just in our grandparents’ time, interracial couples couldn’t get married—that sort of thing. Mr. Michaels has no such issue.
I try to concentrate and take notes, but with the eyes I imagine burning into my back, that’s not an easy feat. At least I can borrow Sophia’s notes if mine don’t make sense.
When the bell rings, I shove my notes in my bag and rush out of the room.
“Wait!” Sophia calls.
I freeze, darting a glance to the back of the room.
Jason’s staring right at me, eyes dancing with amusement.
Fuck.
Sophia’s far too slow, taking her time to organize her bag.
“I’ve barely seen you since school started,” she bemoans. “I’m so annoyed they changed our room arrangements. It’s not the same without you.”
I have to admit, I feel a little guilty, because, well, I haven’t missed her all that much. I haven’t really had time to deal with anyone else’s drama, given what’s been going on with me.
“I haven’t even seen your tattoo yet!” She pouts.
“Tattoo,” Jason echoes from far, far too close.
I practically jump when I realize he’s standing next to me.
“How come I haven’t seen it either, doll?”
I want to punch him. “Go fuck a cactus, asshole.”
He tilts his head back. “Now, that wasn’t very polite, Nadia. Don’t you like it when things are friendly between us?” He leans against the nearest desk.
“We’re not friends, Jason.”
He takes a moment to think it through. “I suppose not. Fuck buddies, then.”
I’m practically shaking with fury. “Stay away from me.”
Sophia’s barely zipped her bag when I grab her elbow and pull her out of the room.
I’m walking so fast I’m practically running, and hear Sophia panting a foot behind me. “Wait, Nadia!” She takes her arm back, and bends down to catch her breath. “I’m going to the other side of the building.”
Oh.
Right, I have art and she has her AP Calculus torture.
“Sorry. I just had to get out of there. Jason is…”
Her eyes widened. “Why did he say that, that you’re fuck buddies? Did you and Jason freaking Alden—”