Page 20 of We Are the Stars

He scoffs. “Whatever.”

“What? What do you want me to say? I’m sorry forwaving?For being polite?”

“Your middle finger is polite?”

“It’s as polite as your stupid scowly face!”

Our heads whip Cal’s way as he hoots in amusement. “You two are something else, bickering and fighting over silly crap. Watch, you’ll end up married one day. That’s how the world works.”

Carsen visibly shudders while I fall into a fit of hysterical laughter. No. There is no way in hell I’d ever consider dating an asshole like him. It doesn’t matter that everything inside me screams that he’s misunderstood; none of that erases the fact that he’s been nothing but a jerk since I met him.

Granted, I only met him yesterday, but so far he’s batting zero with me.

“Well? You two have anything to say to that?”

“You’re dreaming, Cal. There’s no way,” I tell him.

Carsen flicks his eyes to me, and for one split second, I think he’s disappointed by my answer. Then, he hooks his thumb my way and says, “What she said. No way in hell I’d ever date someone likeher.”

His words sting, and I know that was his intent.

I’m not stupid; I don’t look like other girls my age. I don’t wear fashionable clothes or have perfect hair or makeup or teeth even. I’m…me, a little plain and a lot understated. I’ve always been comfortable with that, even in high school. Jase was always the popular guy and I’m aware enough to know that any ounce of popularity I enjoyed was because of my friendship with him. Iknowmy presence was merely tolerated because Jase told his sheeple to make me feel welcomed. I know this, but it’s never bothered me.

Until now.

Until Carsen says it the way he does.

Like I’m something…less. Undesirable, ugly,tainted.A stain, a blemish.

I want so badly to throw nasty words back at him, to make him feel like he’s made me feel.

But, I don’t.

Because I know hehasfelt this bad before, and I know the hurtful words he’s hurling my way are a defense mechanism. I know he doesn’t truly mean them, that he’s not as callous as they are. However, despite knowing all that, I can’t let him walk all over me. It’s not fair to either of us. I’m not doing him any favors by coddling him, and he’s certainly not doing me any by throwing insults at me.

“Someone like me? Oh, you mean someone who’s not going to take your shit. Yeah, it’s probably for the best. I doubt your fragile ego could handle me anyway.”

He doesn’t answer. Instead he punches at the touchscreen, slams the cash drawer closed, and nearly throws Cal’s shoes at him before stalking away to the back room, the door rattling on its hinges when he crashes it closed.

So, he can dish it but can’t take it. Noted.

“He’s a good kid,” Cal says after a few tense moments. “He’s just a little…”

“Bit of an asshole? I’ve noticed.”

The older gentleman chuckles. “I can’t refute that because he’s surlier than not most days, but don’t write him off yet. He’s, uh…well, he’s been through a great deal.”

“So I’ve heard,” I mutter.

“Don’t let him know that.”

“Huh?”

Cal jerks his head in Carsen’s direction. “At this point, I think the whole world knows, but don’t bring it up. He hates that everyone knows.”

“I didn’t until…” I trail off, not wanting to admit my morbid curiosity or what made it rear its ugly head.

“Until?”

---