Books, Boys, and Basketball: Junior Year

THE BULLSHIT

Now that that crisis is over, I need to get my education back in order. My first through fourth-period teachers all welcome me back, but I have a TON of makeup work to do.

And damage control...

Everyone thinks my disappearing act has to do with my breakup with Drew because of all the talk going around school.

And judging by the comments people make as Drew and I walk the halls to our next class, I'm convinced the entire school believes my disappearance was over Drew. While he may have had a hand in it, I had far bigger reasons than big-headed Andrew Taylor, to do what I did.

Girls I don't even know think I'm this weak, pathetic, love-sick girl who can't get over the incomparable Drew Taylor.

Please...

As we pass them in the hall, even Kim and Nicole's friends huddle up to make snide remarks about me, laughing afterward. I ignore them, but it's clear what people think about my little disappearing act. Even his friends think I did it for attention, and as we sit down to eat lunch together, they groan and complain in protest of my being there.

They don't want us to get back together and they don't want me in his life.

None of them do.

Not even Quincy, but his motives are different. Still, to say I'm not wanted amongst his friends would be an understatement. The only people willing to talk to me are Quincy, Chloe, Patrice, and Em. Everyone else ignores me whenever I speak.

Drew's friends LOVE to blame me for his behavior. Lie he has no say in how he acts. They think I'm a bad influence on him, but it's the other way around.

Whatever...

I have a four-point GPA that begs to differ.

Ignoring them I keep it civil, but deep down I want his friends to like me. They're important to Drew, which means they have to be important to me too if I want this to work out.

"Since you sat with us, do you mind telling us why you went all girl interrupted?" Jason asks.

"Well, not that it's any of your business, but to make a long story short, my parents are probably getting divorced, I found out my dad isn't my dad, he's my uncle, and my donor daddy is coming on way too strong right now. Add that to the fact that every adult in my family knew since the day I was born, and yeah... you might say I needed to take a moment to get it together."

"Damn," Xerxes raises his brow at me. "I thought you were just being your usual dramatic self."

"She's not dramatic," Em snaps at him.

"My bad," he throws up his hands.

"Look, I know I'm not perfect, but I love Drew and I want what's best for him too. Even if it means he's not with me. I didn't take off to distract him. I didn't even think he would care, but I needed that time for me. I know you guys don't like me, but I'm hoping we can at least agree to get along for Drew?" I attempt to establish some common ground with them.

"As long as you stop distracting him, we're good," Xerxes holds out his hand for me to shake.

"Same here," his other teammates also agree.

I shake each of their hands, even though I don't believe I've been distracting Drew, and we make peace for Drew's sake.

Drew's phone vibrates on the table and I see its Kim before he swipes it off the table. He searches the cafeteria for her and smiles when he sees her. That innocent smile provokes my jealousy and plucks at my one insecurity when it comes to Drew. But I know if I come at him crazy in front of his friends, I'll be undoing all the good I've just done with them.