Page 63 of His Pretty Little Lies
“I had crap to deal with today and a doctor’s appointment.” Blair shrugs it off. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine; it’s you that I’ve been worried about.”
Her nose scrunches slightly. “Why?” Her expression is one of confusion.
“What do you mean, why? I haven’t heard from you since Friday night.”
“Kins, it’s not like we hung out all the time before.”
"Ouch." I let out a humorless laugh, shaking my head.
"I didn't mean it that way." Her face softens. "I guess I'm not used to people checking in. I normally do my own thing."
"I get that." We are both kind of loners, which I know can be hard, but now I have the Marino family and more people than I know how to deal with on the daily. Even Jax's mom was fussing over me this morning. I had to choke down my emotions to not cry over my French toast. "But now we’re besties," I tease, but it's not really a joke. I do love hanging out with Blair.
"Besties." She lets out a small huff. "Fine, I guess I can be your bestie."
“Why, thank you.” I laugh.
“So what’s popping off?”
“Not much.” I truly wish I could tell her more. “People seem to be pulling back from the rumor that I killed the Annie girl.”
“Damn, that was kind of fun.”
“Okay, maybe it was a little.” But I don’t want people scared of me. That won’t help me get information from them. Well, actually, maybe it would.
“So what’s the story you’re working on now?” I really wish I could talk to her about this, but I see no reason to involve her in this mess. “Did you ever find out what happened between those two?” Blair nods down the hallway to where Alice is standing at her locker.
“Shouldn't she be at practice?” Football and cheer practice are right after school.
“She’s off the team? Their beef got that bad?”
“Let’s go find out,” I suggest.
We make our way down the hallway. When she spots us coming towards her, Alice’s lips purse.
“What do you two want?” She rolls her eyes as she shuts her locker. There is a noticeable redness under her eyes and on her nose. She’s been crying.
“You okay?” I ask.
“What do you care?”
“Alice, I’m serious. Are you okay?” We might not be tight, but it doesn’t mean I don’t have compassion for her.
“It doesn’t matter. There isn’t anything anyone can do,” she responds, tucking a blond lock of hair behind her ear.
“Is this about Celia?” Alice glances down at my question. “You two still haven't made up?”
“We’re not going to make up.”
“She fucked a guy you were seeing?” Blair asks.
“I would rather she had done that.” Alice shakes her head, but I can see the worry laced with concern in her expression.
“Drugs?” I throw it out there to gauge her reaction. Alice slightly flinches at the word. Bingo. “The girl that died Friday.”
“I have no part in it!” Alice puts her hands up. “I told her it was a bad idea to get wrapped up in all this, but Celia is a sucker for a man she shouldn’t fuck around with.”
