Page 19 of Lexi, Property of Rhyder

“Cool? It’s not cool, it’s amazing. I hope I can get a car soon.”

“How are things going with your savings?” I ask as Stacey sits beside me.

“Could be better, but there’s no way I’ll be driving a car like that even if I saved all my life.” Stacey points to my car and sits back adjusting her top. “That’s what you get when your dad’s a surgeon at one of the best hospitals in New York.”

I turn to her, feeling guilty that I’m able to have a car that extravagant and not have to save for it like she does. Stacey’s dad moved out when she was nine, and she and her mom have had it tough since then. Her dad doesn’t have to pay child support anymore, and her mom doesn’t get paid much. She works crazy shifts at the diner waitressing and struggles to make ends meet. Stacey’s got a part-time job working at the sports store and has been saving it all to go to college.

“I doubt I’ll even get a car. I’m going to have to rely on public transportation,” Stacey adds.

I place my arm around her. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You’ll get your car one day.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

“Here you go, ladies. One mocha, a latte, and straight black.”

We thank the waitress and take a sip of our drinks.

“Sooo… you gonna tell us what’s been up with you lately?”

I look up at Diane, who’s leaning forward, her eyes solely focused on me.

Okay, there’s no time like the present so I stare at Stacey, who’s also waiting for me to speak, then back at Diane. Taking another small sip of my mocha, I inhale then swallow down the lump that’s formed in my throat.

“I need you to know that it’s not easy for me to tell you this story, and that I need you not to judge me or look at me differently.” I blink my eyes, trying to hold back my tears which are pricking in the corners.

Diane reaches out to hold my hand. “We’re here for you, Lex. No judgment here. We just want to know you’re okay.”

I nod and look at our joint hands. “Thanks. I’m okay. Well, as okay as I can be.”

They sit there quietly for a while waiting for me to break the silence again. I remove my hand and then place them in my lap. Stacey gives me a small smile, and it’s all the courage I need to continue, “Remember Jamie’s party a few months ago?”

“Yes,”

“Fuck, yes, I got with Julian that night,” Diane states and winks at me. Julian is one of Zane’s friends who’s also on the lacrosse team. Diane and Julian have been flirting with each other for a while, and at Jamie’s party, they finally got together. Well, for one night, that is. I had totally forgotten about that. What sort of friend am I? I’ve been so caught up in my own problems I had forgotten to ask Diane about Julian.

“I’m so sorry, Diane. I forgot all about that.”

Diane waves her hand. “No biggy, Lex. We kissed, had a bit of fun, and that’s that. He hasn’t even said anything to me since.”

I narrow my eyes. “That asshole.” Julian is best friends with Zane, and he’s had a thing for Diane for a while, and Diane feels the same, but Julian has never taken the next step. Now, when he finally does, he’s back to playing games.

“It’s his loss. You deserve better.”

“Yeah, I know, but enough about me, let’s get back to you. What’s going on, Lex?”

I can feel my heart beating fast, so I begin, “Well, that night I decided to walk home, remember?”

Diane looks like she’s in thought, then says, “Yeah, I remember. You don’t live far from Jaimie’s, so you wanted to walk home.”

“Yeah.” I laugh sarcastically. “Worst decision of my life.”

“Oh my God, what happened, Lex?” Diane whispers.

Stacey leans in closer and places her hand on my upper back and rubs it slowly in circles while I replay that night in my mind and explain.

“I was walking home and wasn’t too far, maybe a block away, when three men drove past me in their car. I could hear the music blaring and their laughter coming out loudly through the open windows. I noticed that the license plate wasn’t from around here, so when they stopped and asked me for directions, I didn’t hesitate.”

Tears now stream down my face as I remember how stupid I was just to walk up to a car full of strangers when they called me over.

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