Page 19 of Damnation
“I’m not a freshman,” I say shortly. “I’m in my sophomore year.” There is a part of me, the remnants of my pride, that would like to tell them that Thomas doesn’t “screw” me at all, but that would be an enormous lie.
“I’ve never seen you around before,” Blake says, observing me without interest.
And thank God for that.
“I tend to keep to myself,” I grit out, looking down at my open notebook before closing it and putting it away.
“I, on the other hand, have seen you lots. You were with Baker, right?” Vince breaks in, taking his hockey helmet off his arm and setting it on the table. He crosses his arms over it, waiting for my response.
I take a long look at him, and finally, I realize where I’ve seen him before. He’s the guy who gave Thomas the keys to ice rink on Monday night so that I could skate! Do I thank him? Maybe some other time. Instead, I tuck my hair behind my ears and nod. It’s strange to realize that people at this school really only remember me because of my relationship with Travis.
He sticks his hand out. “Nice to meet you. I’m Vince.” Hesitantly,I take his hand and shake it in return. I thought we already introduced ourselves. When I try to pull my hand back, he holds on and squeezes it more than necessary. “You’re cute,” he says, winking at me. As he does it, I can feel my face getting hot. Just as I’m about to look away in embarrassment, a crushed empty pop can hits Vince’s shoulder.
“Keep your hands off her,” Thomas threatens, his stare brutal. Then he puts his hand on my thigh, curling his fingers around the underside. With a jerk, he pulls me closer to him.
Vince seems amused by this reaction. He cocks his head and quirks a corner of his mouth. “Message received.”
“Listen, is everything confirmed for tonight? You’re still in, right?” Blake asks, getting out of his chair. Vince does the same.
“Yeah, all confirmed,” Thomas answers evenly, licking a smear of ketchup from his thumb and index finger.
Just these three words are enough to make a strange melancholy settle over me, as I silently realize that Thomas and I won’t be together this evening. The idea makes me a little sad. A lot sad. Between my classes, his practices, and my move to Tiffany’s, we haven’t been able to spend much time together. I was really hoping we’d get Saturday night together at least…
“I’m gonna go shoot hoops; wanna join?” Vince offers, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Pass for now. I’m busy,” Thomas answers, giving me a brief glance.
Blake scrutinizes me with an irritated sneer on his face before shaking his head. I get the feeling that he doesn’t at all approve of my presence in Thomas’s life. But if he thinks I’m the Yoko Ono of this situation, he is hugely mistaken.
“Remember, we’ve gotta take care of that thing for Martinez…” Blake says, preparing to leave. “Now.”
I look back and forth between them with a frown on my face. But they’re ignoring me. Thomas looks up at Blake, and they exchange a long look which both of them seem to understand perfectly.
“Right,” Thomas says, massaging his forehead. Then, he turns tome. “Wait for me here? I just need to take care of something, and I’ll be right back; it won’t be long.”
Ever since everything happened with Logan, Thomas has been more evasive than usual. I get the feeling he’s hiding something from me, and I’m not sure I want to know what it is. All I know is that there’s no point in pushing with interrogations and demands; Thomas won’t talk about it.
“I’ll wait,” I confirm, smiling faintly because what else can I really do? He gives my thigh another squeeze and then walks away with his friends. Blake doesn’t even bother saying goodbye. Dick.
In contrast, Vince gives me his second wink of the day and snickers at the look of annoyance on Thomas face. I think I understand his game now: He’s not actually hitting on me; he just likes winding Thomas up.
“Hey, who were those guys?” Alex asks me, returning to the table with an empty tray.
“Thomas’s friends,” I answer, walking with him to return our lunch trays. A few feet ahead, we spot Tiffany, focused on loading her own tray with chicken and a salad, so we beeline for her.
“Have you had lunch already?” she asks, selecting a bottle of water.
Alex and I both nod. Then I check the time on my phone and see that it’s half past one. “I’m waiting for Thomas to come back so I can go check out some apartments,” I say.
“Really?” says Alex. “I’d like to come along, if that’s not a problem. As your friend, I have a moral obligation to make sure that you at least choose a safe place to live.”
“Don’t you have more classes today?” I ask.
“I’ve got a global warming seminar at five, but I’m free until then.”
“That’s perfect, then.”
“I would come too, but I have film club after lunch. Today we’re watching a new true-crime documentary, and I can’t miss it. But keep me updated. Send pics, okay?” Tiffany adds as we walk her to a free table to keep her company. “By the way, were you able to talk to the financial aid office about a loan?”
