The Whisper Seekers

Friday Night In

By Friday, I don't know how I am going to make it another week without Liam in any of my classes. We text throughout the day, but it still isn't the same without him being here. His mom grounded him, so I'm not able to see him, but we've stayed up way too late Facetiming the last couple of nights. He still hasn't asked me in any official capacity to be his girlfriend, but I definitely think I am the only girl he's talking to. 

There hasn't been any drama for the past two days, except for Harper finding out about the fight. She asked me a million questions and even tried to call Liam, but she still has no idea why Liam attacked Derek, and I let it stay that way. When I told her I didn't know anything, she tilted her head and gave me a look of half suspicion, half disbelief. She thinks I'm lying, but I don't care.

The energy in the halls is more somber compared to the first game, and I know it's because our star quarterback was suspended from school, therefore unable to play in tonight's game.

I decided to drop off my letter yesterday after cheer practice. I waited until the school was quiet and stealthily made my way to the office. The large double doors were shut, so I shoved the folded piece of paper under the door. However, Ian, Marissa, and Elijah are still at school, so I don't think anything's been done about my tip.

At lunch, we spread out the giant roll of butcher paper on the lawn behind the gym, anchoring the corners with paint bottles and water cups to keep the wind from folding it up. The banner is supposed to say something motivational like "Crush the Cougars!" but half the girls are more interested in digging into the latest gossip than finishing the lettering. It's the first time we've been together since the fight, so naturally it's all they want to talk about and if they aren't talking about it, they are thinking about motives. 

"So... was it, like, a jealousy thing?" Piper asks me. 

"Did Derek find out Liam likes you?" Margot chimes in. 

"Did you and Liam hook up or something?" Sonja adds. 

I shake my head with a tired laugh. "I really haven't spoken to Derek, and no, Liam and I did not hook up. I have no idea what caused it." It's enough to satisfy most of them, except Harper, who is not thrilled that everyone thinks the fight has something to do with me. She's painting in big, loopy letters and talking just loud enough to keep control of the conversation.

"Well, Liam and I are still good," she says breezily, as if the entire thing is no big deal. "We were supposed to go homecoming together, but obviously now that he's suspended, he's just... devastated." The girls aren't buying it, but she continues. "And Ellie's so sweet, she offered to go with me since we're both dateless now. Man, first the breakup and then the fight. We've had such a dramatic week! I've been so stressed."

I open my mouth to say something, but Lily catches my eye and subtly shakes her head. Let her talk. Let her make this entire week about her. 

After our last class, the team dinner at my house is a much-needed break from the chaos of the week. My mom goes all out, like she always does, and the dining room table is covered in trays of chicken parmesan, baked ziti, Caesar salad, and enough breadsticks to feed the entire football team too. We pile our plates high and sprawl out around the kitchen and living room, some of us cross-legged on the floor, others perched on barstools, laughing between mouthfuls of food.

The conversation flows easily at first, everyone wants to talk about boys and who is going with whom to the dance.  A few girls show pictures of their dresses, while others are frantically scrolling through Pinterest to find last-minute inspiration. I'm brushing out Lily's curls when Abby asks, "So, Ellie. Are you bummed you guys broke up like, right before the dance? Is it going to be awkward if you both make homecoming court?"