Page 48 of We Thought We Were Invincible
“No. I want to be with you, Jamie, but I want to tell my brother.”
“Absolutely not.” His eyes hardened. “You don't get it. Colby is my best and oldest friend. He's my brother. And he's made it very clear that if I go there with you, that's over.”
“Bit dramatic, isn't it?” I asked, surprised my brother would go to those lengths.
“Have you told Jay about us?”
“No way. He'd be worse than Colby about it.”
“Exactly. You wouldn't risk your best friend.”
“That's different.”
“Why, because I haven't slept with Colby?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and sucked in a breath to keep from saying something I'd regret. I didn't sleep with Jay, but didn't feel like sharing that bit of information with my anger simmering.
“I'm late to class.” Before I got to the door, it swung open and Morgan walked in, stopping when she spotted the two of us.
“Oh, uh…” She laughed. “Didn't realize this was occupied.” She gave me an inquisitive look. “Mr.Chase is wondering where you are, Cal.”
I ducked out into the hall. Jamie didn't follow me, but Morgan did.
“Didn't you need to pee or something?” I snapped.
“Nah, just wanted to get out of class. This is better.” She leaned in to whisper even though there was no one around. “You and Jamie?”
“No, we were just -”
“I know what I saw. You guys were arguing and your lips are all swollen. Tell me something, as one of the few girls in this school who hasn't kissed him, is he good?”
“I think that's an exaggeration.”
“What? That he's good or that he's gotten around?”
“Morgan,” I sighed.
“Fine, fine.” She held her hands up in surrender. “I just thought you guys hated each other.”
“You can't tell Colby.” I stopped outside our classroom and looked her in the eye. “Please.”
“Why?” The understanding dawned on her face. “Ohhhh, he doesn't want his sister dating the school Lothario.”
“Morgan.”
“Alright, I'll let you guys have your dirty little secret.”
I gave her a grateful smile and followed her into the room.
“Callie,” Mr.Chase said. “You have a good excuse, I hope.”
I shrugged, and he shook his head, disappointment shining in his eyes. Sometimes it was hard to separate Mr.Chase the teacher from Noah the guy who spent most of his free time hanging around the diner for the few spare minutes Aunt Kat had to give him.
He continued talking as I took my seat. “Today we're going to begin reading the stories you all turned in. We'll also be reading the work of your partners in the other class in order to compare points of view. Morgan, we are beginning with you and your partner, Matthew.”
She scrunched her face and the other girls around her laughed. I didn't join them this time because all I could picture was old Seth slumped over the counter at the diner.
Morgan's story wasn't bad. It was about two people from different walks of life exploring the beach together. She wrote it as if they had a wonderful time and she came out looking good. It was a fluff story that didn't delve too much into their interactions with each other.
