Page 37 of I Hear You

I’m playing dumb. The game I try to play doesn’t work. She sees right through my innocence act.

“I know I don’t know you all that well, but Caleb doesnotseem like your type. Like, at all.”

I chew my lip, trying to decide how to answer her. A breath I didn’t know I was holding comes out in an exaggerated huff and I sit on the bed in the corner of the room.

“I’m trying to make Henry jealous, okay? Is that what you want to hear?”

“I mean, at least it’s honest. But why do you think you need to make Henry jealous?”

“Because for some reason I’m completely infatuated with him and he seems to not give a damn about me. And because he kissed me and he ran away.”

Taylor sits down next to me on the bed.

“When did Caleb kiss you?”

“Not Caleb. Henry.”

“No shit. When?!”

“A few weeks ago, in the library. I was studying for midterms. There was this poetry book and–”

I trail off, not sure I’m ready to share more details.

“Okay. Wow. Okay.”

She’s on her feet now, pacing in front of the bed. Looking back and forth between me and the floor.

“Here’s the most I can tell you. Henry went through some shit last year. Like shit most people can’t even imagine. The entire trajectory of his life changed. He’s not even supposed to be in Easton still, but he is. He also probably has very little faith in love and relationships these days.”

“Why, what happened?”

“That is so not my story to tell. But, Madison, he’s one of my best friends and he is an incredible guy.”

“So you think I should wait around for him?”

“I’m not saying that, and I’m not saying I don’t think your fake flirting with Caleb isn’t working–”

Taylor laughs and flops back down on the bed next to me, bumping her shoulder with mine.

“But I am saying, just be careful. The last thing you want is a guy like Caleb thinking he actually has a chance. Or a good guy like Henry thinking he doesn’t.”

“You’re right. I get it. Thank you, Taylor, for being my friend.”

“Anytime roomie, anytime. Now… let’s get back out there before Henry and Caleb whip out their dicks and a ruler.”

I laugh and let Taylor know I’m going to find a bathroom and meet her outside.

The bathroom has a line about five people deep, but I really need to pee, so I wait. I forgot alcohol can run straight through you. The door opens but before the next person can go in Jackie comes around the corner and cuts in the line. When she comes back out, she notices me and stops, hands on her hips.

“Madison, was it?” she says, looking at me with disgust.

What is this chick's deal? I haven’t even met her. I wouldn’t even know her name if it wasn’t for Taylor. How and why does she know mine?

“Yeah, have we met?” I ask, pretending I don’t know exactly who she is.

“No. But, I hear you’re new. Welcome to Easton.”

Her words seem like they should be sweet, nice even, but her body language screams bitch.

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