Fragile Hearts

13: Mean Girls

The next day in class, Lucy's in my face. "What happened last night after I left? Maybe I shouldn't ask, but the way Tyce was kissing you in the parking lot...hell, anyone would want to know."

I had purposefully entered class late to put off the inevitable questions from Lucy. The teacher begins talking and Lucy says under her breath, "Crap."

A couple of times I glance over at Tina and both times she's staring daggers at me. After class, I decide to hang around in the classroom, even if it makes me late for gym. I don't want a confrontation with the wicked bitch.

Lucy reads my mind. "Maybe she and her cronies will be gone by the time we leave."

"Lucy, you need to go so you're not late to your own class."

"Hell, girl. I'm not leaving you to the likes of bitch woman. Besides, even if she wasn't a threat, I'm not about to leave until you spill the beans about what happened last night."

"You aren't going to leave this alone, are you?"

"Does a bear poo in the woods? Hell no, I'm not going to leave this alone. Did you go to bed with Tyce?"

"No!"

Lucy looks disappointed. "Wow. The way he was kissing you, I figured you two would be doing the dirty within the hour."

"Lucy!"

"What? You know I have a potty mouth. Don't act so shocked."

I sigh with resignation. "We kissed in the parking lot and then he took me home and basically said I was too good for him and he didn't want to taint me."

"Whoa. Did you tell him you wanted to be tainted?"

"Sort of. But it didn't do any good. He left anyway."

"Hmm. I wonder what's holding him back when he's obviously head-over-heels for you."

"Are you kidding, Lucy. I'm in a freakin' wheelchair. I have a scarred face. I've never even been kissed by a guy before last night. I hate being in public. My social skills are nonexistent. Shall I go on?"

Lucy frowns. "All minor inconveniences in the face of true love."

I shake my head. "You're crazy."

"Maybe so..." her voice trails and then she asks, "Are we still on for visiting Kaylee?"

"As far as I know."

Lucy glances around. "Most of the next class has arrived. Guess we better head out."

In the hallway, Tina is leaning against a wall talking to a guy who's practically drooling over her. Lucy stands between me and Tina as we pass. I almost grin at her protectiveness and just when I think we're in the clear, bubble-head rushes to my other side.

"Hey, Morgan. It's too bad you left Bandy's Bar so early. Things always start happening after eleven. Maybe you'll want to join us next weekend."

I'm shocked at her invitation and apparently Lucy is too, because she says, "Your sudden invitation doesn't have anything to do with Tyce ditching you and your friends to spend time with Morgan, does it?"

I can't believe Lucy's boldness.

Tina smiles sweetly. "Of course not. We just want to extend our friendship to the handicapped girl."

Lucy makes a choking noise and takes a step toward Tina. I grab her hand to stop her. I have the feeling she's about to rearrange Tina's nose. I find my voice and I'm amazed at how calm I sound. "Thanks for the invitation, but this handicapped girl has an aversion to spending time with airheads. She's afraid their stupidity might be contagious."

For a second, both Lucy and Tina stare at me with blank expressions, and then Lucy starts laughing so hard her eyes water. "Oh, that's good. That's really good. Contagious airheads—perfect analogy."

Tina leans over and says. "Tyce needs a whole woman; you'll never satisfy him. Get my meaning?"

Lucy stops laughing and leans down, speaking to Tina. "Too late, vampire woman. Morgan's already taken him to heaven and back. Get my meaning?"

Tina straightens and sends us both a look meant to kill, and then hurries away.

I push my chair to the nearest bathroom and enter. Lucy follows and asks, "Are you mad at me?"

I turn around and glare at her. "What do you think! You just lied to Tina about something so...so..."

"Intimate?"

"Yes, intimate. She's going to have her claws exposed now."

"Good."

"What? Why would you say that?"

Lucy grins. "Because you're awesome when you're backed into a corner. Believe me; you're going to be the winner in this battle. Contagious airhead? That was awesome!"

I'm still angry with Lucy, but I can't help but grin."It just rolled off my tongue."