Page 73 of The List of Things

I don’t know why I blush at her words but I do. Jade’s definitely more loose with her thoughts now, and she knows we’re not together. Part of me wonders if his friends are truly rooting for something more, the thought makes my stomach turn.

“Says you! You and Griff are practically perfect.”

She swats her hand, “Oh stop.”

She carries her drink close to her chest as we talk.

“He just talked to me about the Raiders. He seems so excited. But how does it make you feel? Him moving and stuff?” I ask her.

“It makes me feel happy. I’m going with him.”

I raise my eyebrows. I don’t know why the thought shocks me. Maybe it’s just hard for me to think about moving for someone else... To be with someone else.

“Why? I mean I know you’re dating him, but is there anything there for you?” I ask.

I know I might be projecting. I just can’t wrap my head around it.

“There’s always something for me anywhere I go. The school I’m going to now, Kirkland, it’s just mediocre to me. I think transferring will be a breath of fresh air. It’s not every day that your boyfriend gets drafted by the NFL either. I think it will only be exciting.”

I can feel the excitement radiating off of her. She smiles wide too. A genuine smile, one I know is true. I smile at her, happy for her. Good. I’m glad she and Griff are as happy as they are.

Part of me feels a bit weird about the two of them not being here. I’ve gone to all the games. I’ve seen him and Bellamy play hand and hand. There’s no Bellamy without Griff on the field, and vice versa. I wonder how Bellamy feels about that. I wonder why we’ve never really talked about it before. From the rumors I’ve heard there’s a new Wide Receiver stepping up. One of the soon to be juniors. I’ve seen him step in a time or two at the games. Parker Thompson. He has promise, but he’s not best friends with Bellamy. The two of them have to work together perfectly next year, and…

“Oh my god, Kamryn is that you? And Jade too?” I turn over my shoulder to look at the person speaking and to my shock, it’s Leah.

Someone I never expected to be so cheery when talking to me. Maybe she’s trying her best to give me a chance. Or maybe it’s all fake. I tread lightly as I look down at her, her body only a bit shorter than mine.

“Wow, what a surprise. Hi Leah,” I force myself to shoot her a smile.

“You clean up well, don’t yah?” Her eyes are looking down at me, venom already dripping from her words.

“I could say the same for you,” I tilt my head, pushing out another smile, feeling the animosity radiate from her body.

Leah has short dirty blonde hair. It’s in a perfect sleek cut and she has a cute button nose. I hate that it’s cute. She’s cute, short, and sweet looking. The picture perfect cheerleader, with the picture perfect body. She’s wearing hot pink. I feel extremely grateful I didn’t wear that pink dress Sienna suggested right now. We look nothing alike. We radiate opposite energy, and I think back once again. I wonder what Bellamy wants from me in the first place if this is his type and not me.

“So… How are you and Griff?” Leah asks Jade who stands by me.

You can read Jade’s features well, as she doesn’t hide anything. She looks annoyed and incredibly confused. I have no idea if it’s because of the alcohol she’s consumed, or if she’s always straightforward like this. I’m sure Griff has told her about the drama between Leah, and Bellamy thus far. From the looks of it, Jade isn’t her biggest fan.

“Perfect. How are you and… Oh, wait,” Jade raises her eyebrows and tilts her head.

My lips part at the comment, creating a perfect O, signifying my shock.I want to be Jade when I grow up.

“And what about you?” Leah has turned her attention to me now, and I tilt my head to her, wiping the shocked look off of my face.

She ignored Jade completely, she never cared about what she had to say in the first place.

“You and Bell seem cozy. Are you just fucking. Dating?” She shrugs her shoulders, her voice sharp as a knife. The fake friendliness has left her entirely now. “I probably already know considering…” She lets her voice trail off but doesn’t let her eyes leave me.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” I’m amused at her anger. “We are dating... Temporarily.”

I don’t lie, knowing it might get under her skin if she doesn't really know or understand this arrangement between Bellamy and me.

“What does that even mean?” Her annoyance is so vivid it’s like a rainbow.

“I don’t know, why do you care?” I ask.

I can see Jade beside us, her face turning back and forth as if she’s watching an intense game of tennis.

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