Page 100 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“It doesn’t mean anything. You know Aaron.” She shrugged. “He’s trying to keep her sweet.”

“He’s a free agent. He can go to the dance with whoever he wants. I also heard a rumor that you’re going with Cole.” Her eyes widened and I added, “You didn’t tell me.”

“There’s nothing to tell. Aaron asked me to be his date, but unless Cole asks me himself, I’m not doing it. It’s Homecoming not prom, you don’t need a date to go.”

“Well, you can totally come with me and Eli.”

“And ruin your date? No way.” She grinned.

The bell rang and we both groaned. “Fourth period calls,” I said.

“What are we doing tonight?” Sofia asked as we filed out of the cafeteria.

“We could head to Riverside? Or Sprinkles?”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you later.”

“Sure thing.”

Sofia took off in the opposite direction, and I headed for math.

Ready to avoid Aaron for another hour.

When the final bell rang, I breathed a sigh of relief. Aaron hadn’t showed up for math, and despite being on a mission to avoid him like the plague, I couldn’t stop worrying.

Where was he? Had something happened? Of course there was probably a perfectly rational answer, but my mind was working overtime and since the teacher had us do a pop quiz, I couldn’t even discreetly text Sofia to see if she knew where he was.

“How was it?” She was waiting outside for me.

“Have you spoken to Aaron?” I blurted.

“What? Why?”

“He wasn’t in math.”

“Oh yeah, his PT session got moved. Why?”

PT session…

Embarrassment welled inside me as I murmured, “It doesn’t matter.”

“You were worried.”

“I got carried away.” I hurried down the hall with Sofia hot on my tail, embarrassment fizzing inside my chest.

“Poppy, come on. He’s fine.” She grabbed my arm and I whirled around to her.

“Can we just go?”

I’d spent an hour concocting fantastical ideas to his whereabouts and he was in his PT session.

“It’s okay,” she said.

“It’s not.”

“Hey, will you just slow down and talk to me?” We filed out of the building and followed the stream of kids toward the parking lot.

“I don’t know how to switch it off.”

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