Page 6 of The Playbook

Grabbing my bag, I went to wait for Dad in the car. A few minutes later, he emerged from the house, wearing a big smile. I loved that my parents were so in love. I just hated seeing them swap spit at the kitchen table.

“Ready?” Dad asked as he got into the car and buckled his seatbelt.

“Yep.”

“Senior year! Homestretch.” He turned and beamed at me before clearing his throat.

I groaned inwardly. Whenever Dad cleared his throat, I knew we were going to have a heart-to-heart moment.

“Listen, pumpkin. I know you’ve been working so hard. Your mom and I are so proud of you. I know the temptation to date and mess around is out there but keep it together. I’m counting on you.”

“I know, Dad.” I gave him a tight smile.

My whole life I’d been raised to know I was expected to go to Rayton. I was going to graduate at the top of my class. Boys were off limits. And if my skirt was shorter than where my fingertips stopped on my thigh, I wasn’t allowed to wear it. At least, that was Dad’s rule. I was sure my mother would’ve loved to shoo me out of the house wearing a jean skirt and halter top, citing I should live a little. Mom and Dad were polar opposites. Mom was free-spirited and playful while Dad was levelheaded and serious. They evened one another out though, which made living with them a little easier.

“I know, pumpkin. But it’s a new year and all—”

“Dad, it’s going to be fine. It’s just me and Lana. Like always. No worries.”

He gave me a smile that said he was satisfied with our conversation before he reached out and turned up the classic rock station, letting the music fill the car. We sang along to Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith before he wheeled the car into his parking spot. I hopped out and spotted Lana waiting for me on the lawn. When I’d told her I was coming in a bit early, she said she’d meet me there so we could enjoy some peace before the school day started without people around us. I liked the way she thought.

“Bye, Dad!” I shouted, waving to him.

He laughed as I took off.

Breathing in deeply, I took in the warm, fall air. The trees were just starting to change from green to gold. It was my favorite time of year.

I rushed over to Lana, who wore a disapproving look on her face.

“You’re killing me, Grace,” she greeted me. “We fought the fem-bots for those outfits, and you decided to wear this?” She gestured to my clothes. “What am I going to do with you?”

“Accept me paying for lunch as a peace offering?”

“Fine.” She let out an exaggerated sigh and flipped her blonde ponytail over her slender shoulder. “But I want an extra chocolate milk.”

“Deal.”

We grinned at one another before bursting into a fit of giggles. We walked inside and stopped at my locker. Pulling out my folder, I stared down at my schedule for what felt like the millionth time.

“I can’t believe we only have one class together,” I grumbled.

“Yeah, but it’s the best class. Band.”

She was right. We loved band. While I was a band geek through and through and wouldn’t fit in anywhere else, Lana was able to play her fluteandjoin any table in the courtyard for lunch. I’d have been booted out and probably set on fire if I tried sitting just anywhere. Even though Lana could go with any group, I always appreciated that she stuck beside me. We’d been best friends since second grade when Logan Walker had yanked the head off my doll before throwing it into the woods by the playground. She’d been my favorite too. Lana had kicked him in the shin and shoved him to the ground. One of the recess aides had to separate them. Lana and I had been friends ever since.

And Logan? He’d also been the same ever since, but technically it was the first and only cruel act he’d ever personally done to me. I figured Lana had put the fear of God in him that day, and maybe he figured teasing me wasn’t worth the effort or consequences now.

The bell rang making us both groan.

“I’m surprised Noah hasn’t shown up,” Lana said, mentioning our guy friend and fellow band geek. “I figured he’d be here trying to piss me off this morning.”

“He’s probably with Garrett and the guys. Just like last year.”

“Whatever. It’s less time I have to spend being irritated today. We doing lunch at the dumpsters?” Lana grinned at me as we neared her first class.

“You know it.” I smirked back.

She rolled her eyes, chuckling, before waving bye to me. I continued through the hall, my head ducked down. When Lana wasn’t with me, my confidence level was at a two on a good day. I stared down at my schedule again. I didn’t know why. It wasn’t like I didn’t have it memorized already.

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