Constant

Chapter 19

Ty plopped his tray down on the table and sat down.

"So this is the new gang, exciting," Bethany said, to make it less awkward. She didn't succeed. "Oh well, be that way." She grabbed her case with coloring pencils and started drawing away on my cast. I winced every now and again because the movements hurt. Ty watched Bethany work, and when she leaned back, seemingly satisfied with her work, he spoke up. "Can I give it a go?" he asked.

"Sure," I said. "I'm sure there's space left... somewhere."

Bethany and Ty switched places, and he went through the pens. I listened to the girls talking and watched as Ty drew. He was drawing a crow, how fitting. As my mind wandered, so did my eyes, which was why I spotted Ben at his usual table. But he wasn't looking at me. He was staring down at his food, poking it with his fork without the intention of eating. He looked grim.

"What did he do?" I asked, looking at Ty.

"He was being Ben. What he does best."

It didn't really answer my question since I didn't know Ben. All I knew was that he didn't like me, and I didn't like him. But he couldn't be that much of a butthole if he had friends. But then again, I thought all Ben's friends were douchebags—Ty included. Guilty by association. Although Ty was starting to change my mind.

"I'm going thrifting after school, are you coming or what?" Joyce asked.

"Can't, I have violin lessons," Bethany said.

I watched Ty, so I didn't notice Joyce looking at me. I raised my eyebrows.

"What?" I asked.

"I was asking a question," she said.

"Oh, okay." I nodded, feeling a little unsure, because I didn't know where Joyce and I stood, but since she asked me, who was I to say no?

Joyce and I walked together through the hallway after school. She told me about all her favorite secondhand shops, and what she was on the lookout for. It sounded like she was talking just to fill the silence, because her voice was monotone, and her monologue didn't seem to have a finish line.

We stepped out of the school, and I immediately spotted the shiny BMW which belonged to no other than the man leaning against it. Douglas wore sunglasses, even though it was cloudy out. Why was he here? Just then, Douglas must have spotted me because he pushed himself off the car and started toward me.

I remained where I stood, confusing Joyce.

"Why are you stopping?" she asked, but I didn't answer.

"Maya," Douglas said when he reached us. "I was going to ask you if I could let me drive you to the community."

I shook my head. "I have plans," I replied, while being awfully thankful for all the secondhand shops in town. Douglas glanced at Joyce, as if just then realizing I wasn't alone. A look of disgust graced his features. He must have recognized her.

"Aren't you the girl that hit Maya with her car?" he asked.

Joyce sucked her teeth. "No, I was simply riding the car," she replied. "If you excuse us, we have some places to be." She grabbed my hand, intending to step beside Douglas, but he moved just as she did, effectively blocking her.

"Fuck off," Joyce said.

"Make me," Douglas replied, squaring his shoulders.

They stared at each other, one more stubborn than the other.

"I thought the lady told you to fuck off!" I hadn't even noticed Ty showing up, with an angry expression in place. He pushed Douglas, making Douglas stumbled backward a few steps. This was turning into a major crap fest.