Page 31 of Late Fees

“You okay?” Kevin asked, handing me a napkin.

Putting my hand in front of my mouth, I shook my head. “Technical difficulties, sorry.”

Way to play it, Tilly.

“So, you’re a sophomore, too, right?” I asked, eager to move the conversation away from my terrible manners.

“Yep.” He nodded. I waited a moment for him to elaborate, but he didn’t. He took a bite of pizza, then followed it up with a sip from his Styrofoam cup.

“Where is your family from?” I asked.

“Nashville.”

“Oh, wow. So, are you into country music, then? Like Garth Brooks and all those guys?”

“Mostly, yeah,” he nodded. “You?”

I clenched my teeth. “It’s not my thing. I had some friends who loved Garth in high school, but I just couldn’t quite get into it.”

“And you like Prince…and Weezer.” He chuckled.

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes. “Sully’s ridiculous, isn’t he?”

“Definitely.”

“Lately, I’ve been listening to Alanis Morissette a lot.”

“Oh, that’s right. That revenge song.”

He made a face.

A mocking face.

“I take it you’re not a fan?”

“I mean, she’s just so…angry.”

“I guess country stars don’t get mad, huh?”

“Nope.” He raised both eyebrows. “They get even.”

“Oh, right…what’s that song where Garth shows up to some black-tie party and toasts his ex? I kinda like that one.”

“‘Friends in Low Places’.”

“Right. They always played it at our school dances.”

“There’s an extra verse that he only does in concert.”

“Really?” I asked, leaning forward. “I’m intrigued.”

“I can never remember all of it, but he basically tells her to kiss his ass.”

“Nice.” I took a sip of my Cherry Coke. “I guess country singers do get a little mad then, huh?”

“I guess so. But not like Alanis. She screeches. It’s like nails on a chalkboard.” Kevin shook his head and sneered.

“Wow, tell me how you really feel.”

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