Page 92 of Beautiful Defiance

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LEIGH

The next week is the same sad story. Except it’s different for one big reason—homecoming. It’s all everyone is talking about, though the homecoming game and the dance isn’t until the next Friday.

I don’t have money for a dress. I don’t have the enthusiasm to go. I’ll be a horrible date. Shay disagrees.

“Think about it, Shay, you can go with the girl of your dreams rather than because you did it to piss Seven off. He doesn’t care. Doesn’t hate me anymore. I cease to exist in his eyes.”

I lean against the window of his sportscar. He is parked alongside the fence, and we’re facing the turn in the road that forks right to Seven’s parents’ place.

“Fuck’s sake, Leigh, stop being so dramatic.”

“It’s true,” I whine.

“Then get him to hate you again.”

“I don’t want his hate.”

“You fell for him, didn’t you? Don’t know what you see in the guy. He’s a jerk.”

“He’s not.”

I tell him of how Seven took me to the hospital and stayed with me. How he cared for me, feeding me, and making sure I didn’t keel over. Also, harped on me to take the antibiotics. I also tell him what Seven does for the poorer kids.

“Then what’s the problem? Why are you moping?”

“He’s interested in a different girl. It’s the reason he doesn’t hate me anymore. He’s too busy paying attention to her now.”

I tell Shay of how Seven ditched me for Ginger.

“I’m sorry, Leigh.”

“I’ll get over it.” I won’t. Not for awhile. “So, you’ll ask Blair to the dance?”

“I already did, a week before Brody’s party. She turned me down, said she’s not into those things.”

“It’s senior year. Last homecoming dance. Ask her again.”

“Drop it, Leigh.”

I shift in my seat. His fingers are crammed in his hair.

“Or ask what she’d rather do. If she’s not into a dance, what about a picnic under the moonlight? Or stargazing? Ask her, Shay. Do something she’d like to do.”

His hand falls from his hair. He skims his fingers over the steering column, looking thoughtful. “You’re onto something. I’ll ask. What about you?”

“I’ll go to the game but not the dance.”

“Sorry things got out of hand at Brody’s party.”

“Hey, never be sorry for showing me a magic trick. I’ll love them all.”

He laughs. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

“You’re the sweetest girl, Leigh. If Seven doesn’t see what’s right in front of him and come around, it’s his loss.”

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