Page 16 of Tulips and Lost Time

“You’re a child too, dummy.” Exasperated, she steps around me and continues. She knows the way we’re going. “The point is, Sassy is a bitch. You’re a player. Maybel is someone else’s victim, but instead of dealing with it the proper way, or,” she looks over at me, “ya know, internalizing it like the rest of us, she figures she can pound on me when the other girls aren’t around.”

“It’s because you’re a grade up from Jess, Laine, and Britt?”

“Makes me an easy target.” Then she grins, though I’m not sure it’s a friendly expression. “Kinda like Sassy.”

“You’re getting kinda mouthy, huh?” I fix her bag on my back and brush a hand over my shoulder. “Jesus, Bear. You’re a fuckin’ mouse in front of literally everyone on the planet. Cowering in fear and terrified to make a sound, lest someone looks at you sideways. But then you come at me with an Acme rocket and act like your shots aren’t pointed and mean.”

“I’m not acting like anything. School is for learning. It’s for going to class, getting an education, then leaving again, and doing it all with as little stress for Marcus as possible.” She shakes her head. “I don’t care about your stress levels, though.”

“Great.” I look up and study the canopied ceiling just minutes into the forest. “So you let Madge beat on you and you do nothing about it?”

“I don’t let her do anything. She’s bigger than me.”

“You throw hands at me, Bear! You’re not afraid. You let that bitch say nasty things about killing yourself. Things about your parents. And you just…” I don’t understand her logic. I don’t get it, and I can’t even try to search for the bridge that’ll help. “You say nothing. So, what? You don’t end up in a fight at school, called into Principal Reeves’ office, and Marc doesn’t give you the ‘I’m disappointed’ eyes?”

“Marc already has so much to worry about.” Her eyes remain swollen. Red and hot enough to force her expression into a scowl. “I can handle Maybel on my own.”

“Handle her how? By being her punching bag?”

“Handle her maturely. Not something you’re capable of.”

I laugh, shaking my head and side-step another of her jabs. “If only Marc could see the shit you say and do when he’s not around, Bear. He’d be scandalized.”

“I suppose it’s a good thing you don’t tell him, then.” She folds her arms and hunches in on herself as the chill of the forest beats out even the filthy summer heat outside these trees. “You don’t want him to worry, either.” She looks ahead and glares. “Why are we going this way?”

“Because we have nowhere else to be. Marc’s working. Ang is working. Sam is macking on Sammy like he’s about to be sent off to war. You’re crying. And it’s too fuckin’ hot to skate.”

Of every word I speak, she growls and zeroes in on one single point. “I’m not crying.”

“You’re misty eyed. Got a case of the vapors.”

“You’re stupid. And I have homework to do. I’m not interested in hanging out with you unless you brought food and music.”

“How about…” I snag her bag from my back and tear it open to reveal one of the sack lunches Mrs. Turner packs for her kids each day, regardless of if they intend to eat in the cafeteria. I saw Kari eating meatball subs earlier today with the twins, which means a cheese sandwich, apple, and juice box remain in her bag. “We have the food.”

“Give me my bag!” She slaps my arm and tries to pry the purple backpack from my grasp. “Luca!”

“You have the homework.” I tug out the pages her teacher assigned her today. “And I have the music.” I look down at the girl with kind, green eyes that hide a world of attitude and spine, then I flash a grin that sets her temper alight. “I wanna write a song for the guys anyway. It’s my turn to come up with something, especially now that Sam’s always writing about Sammy all the damn time.”

“It’s kinda funny they both have the same name though, right?” Finally, she releases her bag and allows me to stuff the papers and things back inside. “Sam and Sammy. It’s a bit silly.”

“Sam Turner and Samantha Ricardo.” I roll my eyes and slide the zip closed. “Dude swears he’s gonna marry her.”

“Are you ever getting married, Luc?” Kari glances across and studies the side of my face until her stare feels warm on my skin. She appears angelic for a moment. Sweet. But then she sneers. “You’re not gonna marry Sassy St Slut, are you?”

“Slut?” I slap a hand over her mouth and shoot a look in every direction of the forest, like I’m worried a parent—or worse, Marc—will jump out to punish her. “Who taught you that word?! That’s a bad word, Kari!”

“We know that word,” she giggles. Wrestling my hand away, she slides out of my grip and twirls in the filtered sunlight.

Finally, for the first time today, I see her smile.

“You should hear the stuff Jess and Laine say when you’re not around.”

“Jess and Laine are pains in my ass.” I hitch her bag up and shake my head. “They’re gonna give me infinite headaches in the next few years.”

“Nah.” She swings her hair and speeds her steps. “They’re sneaky enough, you won’t even notice they’ve been arrested and posted bail.”

“Jesus fucking christ.” I mash the heel of my palm into my eye and groan. “You’ll tell me, right? If the girls are setting shit on fire, you’ll stop them long enough to let me know?”

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