Page 26 of Bring me Back

“What do you know? You don’t care what you look like.”

My hands closed in a fist. I wanted to say something, or put Delilah in detention. Sure, Hallie wasn’t a teacher, but she was a school volunteer. But I held myself back. I had to give credit to Hallie and assume she didn’t need a savior. Delilah started again as soon as Hallie turned her back to write the measurements.

“Are you going to screw this up on purpose?”

I almost groaned in frustration. What the hell was this kid’s problem? This time I couldn’t hold it. I turned into them and was surprised when I saw Cricket’s hand making a signal for me to stay away. She didn’t look in my direction, but her hand discreetly waved me back.

“Why would I do that?” Hallie asked sounded merely interested.

“Because that way you win,” Delilah replied.

I frowned, wanting a clarification. What exactly was Hallie winning? What war did Delilah imagine?

“I will buy a dress on the side just in case,” Delilah announced eventually. “Can’t trust you.”

“If you must.” The reply had a sharp edge to it.

When Delilah left, Hallie turned to me. The pencil she was using to write the measurements pierced, secured in her ponytail. She arched an eyebrow, shaking her head slowly.

“Some people aren’t worth words, Daniel.”

“Some people are going to detention,” I argued.

“I’d agree if she was going to sit there and rethink her words. She won’t. I can’t be responsible for her personal growth.”

I laughed a humorless laugh. “You know that’s not what I was planning. I’m not that girl’s life coach.”

Crossing her delicate arms in front of her chest, she stepped closer. “I don’t care about what she says because I don’t care about her. I don’t care about what she thinks. I don’t want her to have any piece of me, even if it’s my hatred.”

I rubbed my brow. “Maybeyou’rea goddamn life coach.”

It made Hallie laugh and took the weight off my shoulders. I probably never understood the words she hid between her silent pauses, but I knew just there, I’d never stop trying.

“Ihave a meeting with Sharon,” I told Hallie at the end of the day.

“Good for you,” she replied, packing her things.

“You're getting quite mouthy,” I observed.

She bit her cheek, trying hard not to give me a smile. I came toward her, helping her with the big plastic bag by her feet, full of small delicate flowers with jewels stitched to the middle. I grabbed one, analyzing it between my fingers.

“They aren’t ready yet,” she told me.

“Is this what you’ve been doing in the seats?” I asked. She nodded. “How come they aren’t ready yet? They look amazing.”

She came a little closer, bringing her finger to the edge to show me the loose threads. “I need a candle to burn these off.”

I blinked at the single flower with many petals and then at the big bag by our feet.

“That will take forever.”

“Yes.” She chuckled.

“What…” I looked down again, the bag spilled over with flowers. I could barely believe she had done so many to start with.

“People will never see it from the stage,” I argued.

She frowned. “I’ll know.”

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