Page 38 of Charming Cruel Boys

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Remi

Thefollowingweek,Ifeel somewhat better. Well, not better, but more able to hold myself together. Knight’s back to cutting me with icy glares and harsh words whenever he can. Which is often considering we live together. The only mercy I get is if he pops by my room to study and we have a truce.

The last bell of the day rings, signaling the end of classes, and I leisurely pack up my things and saunter out of the room. On top of all my other stresses, I also have first and last period with Sara. She hasn’t spoken to me or looked my way since our fight in my driveway, and a part of me thinks I overreacted. The other part just wants to ignore her very existence and keep a close grip on Duke, but that’s the irrational part I usually shove way deep down. Besides, I kind of miss her. Sara was a great friend for an entire summer, and I completely lost it over her hooking up with my ex. Who’s now not my ex. Ugh, it’s all so screwed up.

I wait in the hallway until she emerges, looking all dolled up in black skinny jeans and a tight white shirt. Our eyes meet as she turns for her locker, which was suspiciously moved away from mine. I offer a soft smile.

Walking over to her, I suck in a deep breath and wring my fingers together. “Hey,” I say as I reach Sara’s side.

“Um, hi,” she replies, dropping her gaze to the floor.

“I’m sorry,” we both blurt out at the same time.

Sara laughs, tucking her white-blonde hair behind her ear. “No,I’msorry, Remi. I shouldn’t have gone anywhere near Duke, and I definitely shouldn’t have said any of those things to you or hit you. You were right to be angry with me. I totally broke the girl code. I was drunk and he was there, and I know it’s no excuse, but it’s the best I’ve got.”

I nod a few times, twisting my lips to the side and fighting against the memory of seeing them together. “Yeah, you were a huge bitch,” I say with a teasing smile.

Sara barks a laugh and shoves my shoulder. “I was.”

“I miss you,” I admit.

“I miss you too. Nobody in this stupid school is as genuine as you. And George totally picked your side and hates me now.”

I snort.Hell yeah, he does.“Want to grab a couple of smoothies and catch up?” I offer, hope rising in my chest.Maybe I’m being dumb for forgiving so easily, but I’ve never had girl friends. Just George since elementary school, but he never wants to have sleepovers and go shopping.

“Sure. Your place or mine?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to demand we go to her house because I don’t want her around Duke, but then I shake it off. I trust Duke. He’s all in with me. And I know Sara wouldn’t make the same mistake twice, especially since I’m willing to let it all go now.

“My house is good.”I smile and lead the way to my yellow Bug, telling myself this is a good thing. It’ll all be fine.

***

Thirty minutes later, we’ve grabbed some smoothies from a drive-through in town and quickly run up to my bedroom. Duke usually sticks around after school to practice on his guitar while waiting for Knight’s football practice to end since they share a truck. My dad stayed late at the high school for a staff meeting. Not that I really see much of him when he is home, unless he’s screaming at me. And Rose is at work until six, usually. What a glorious time to be home.

Once Sara and I are in my room, I toss my backpack down and sit cross-legged on my bed. She follows, sipping her strawberry smoothie and looking around.

“Your room is so freaking cute. I totally forgot,” she says.

“Mmm, not really,” I argue half-heartedly.My room hasn’t changed since I was six. It feels supremely childish, but I’m not going to risk asking my father if I can give it a makeover.

“It’s just so sweet and... simple. Like you,” she says with a smile.

“Thanks?” I laugh, a bit awkwardly I might add. “Anyway, fill me in. What’s new with you?”

“Well, I decided I want to go to cosmetology school after graduation, so I’ve been looking into a few options. You should let me practice on you for my portfolio!”

“Like makeup and nails? Sure.” I shrug, drinking down my blueberry-banana smoothie and picking at a loose thread on my pink comforter.

“No, silly. I mean, yes, but also hair. I could cut it or dye it. It would be so fun! And you really need a new style.” Sara grabs a long lock of my brown hair and twirls it around her finger.

“What’s wrong with my hair?” I question, pulling it from her hand.

“Nothing, I guess,” she says, looking at it like there is definitely something wrong.

“Tell me,” I say, feeling self-conscious all of the sudden.I’ve always felt a bit lack-luster around Sara — she’s so polished and pretty all the time — but this is a new low. What did Duke see in her? What kind of things does he like in girls? Am I like anyone he’s been with, or am I the odd one out that he’ll grow tired of?

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