A Recipe for Disaster

wtf

As Graham and I were once again on our usual walk to school, I zoned out while he talked about Maya, thinking about what I needed to do when I got home.

Clean my room.

Study for social studies.

Study for math.

Study for chem.

Study for biology.

Study for English.

Keep on studying.

More studying.

Studying.

More and more and more study—

"...so who's this guy?" Graham said, snapping me back to reality.

"Huh?"

"That you and Maya were talking about."

Shit, I thought, feeling my heart beat faster by the second, but I managed to pretend it was nothing as I gave a small shrug. "No one, really."

"Bullshit," Graham rolled his eyes as we kept walking. "Who is he?"

"Some kid," I said nonchalantly as I shrugged, hoping he'd get the hint and drop the subject, especially since for some damn reason, Jentzen hadn't told me anything about our plan. Every time I texted Ryder about it, he gave me some crap about being out of town for track and field practice or something.

"Come on!" Graham begged, pushing me a little too hard and almost knocking me into the road. 

"I told you about Maya!"

Well, technically he didn't—Ryder did—and technically, I didn't need to tell him anything. Just because someone tells you something, doesn't mean you have to say something back. You can if you want to, but you're not forced to.

If only someone had told me that.

I wonder where I would be now?

"He's no one," I said as I stepped back onto the sidewalk, walking a little faster now, eager to get to school and hopefully get our conversation interrupted by Joyce, Marissa, or Malerie. Maybe even all three.

Graham quickly noticed how fast I was walking and started matching my pace, groaning. "Cut the bull! I know you're dating Ryder!"

I stopped my speeding walking to just look at him, slowly. "What? I'm not dating Ryder!" 

"Stop lying!"

"I'm not!" I said as I continued walking, jogging actually. 

We're almost there,  I tell myself as I practically jog to the building.

"Maya told me you were!"