All in

Chapter 11

Jason's POV

We decided to continue studying at the library, and though it was hard that first day, with Mrs Walker and her 101 questions, I got through it. Not because my skin was thick like an alligator's or slick like Teflon, but because I knew Cat didn't want to be home.

So I sucked it up, and after the initial stares and whispers, things settled down. Wednesday and Thursday went by quickly, but today has been slow as hell. Something was up with Cat. I tried to ask her about it, but she shut me down with one of her looks.

This Cat was closed off, and normally I'd be up for a challenge, but not today. Today I had a lot of stuff on my mind, and having the headache from hell didn't help. My eyes hurt, and after an hour, I told Cat that I was done. I could tell she was pissed-about what, I had no idea but then again, so was I. After texting my dad for a ride, I scooped up my laptop and books. I asked her if she wanted a lift home, but she shook her head. Said she was going to hang at the library for a bit and that I'd see her next week.

At that point, I set my books down on the table and shoved my hands into my front pocket because they were fisted and angry.

"Did I do something to piss you off?" I asked, watching her closely. In the space of a few weeks, I'd learned that Cat was a crappy liar. I'd also learnt that when she was upset or angry, her eyes looked glassy and much darker. Kind of like they looked right now.

"Nope," she answered crisply. "Just make sure you study John Stuart Mill's economic theories because I'll be grilling you about them on Monday."

"You're angry."

"No, I'm not."

What was it with girls? Why can't they just say it like it is? Girls get pissy or whatever, and it's a big thing that carries on for days or weeks. Shit, when guys disagree, they get in each other's faces, have it out, and go back to being buddies.

"Cat," I said carefully, not wanting to leave until I had at least scored a smile from her.

"What are you doing this weekend?" she asked abruptly.

Okay. That was out of left field. Surprised, I shrugged. "Nothing." A pause. "Why?" I asked slowly. "Do you want to hang out?"

"No." Wow. No hesitation there.

She stared at me for a long time, and I tried like hell to think of what I could have said or done to warrant this mood, but I came up with nothing. I decided to let it be. Lord knows my dad has certainly done that many times over, because like he said, girls are strange animals, and we'd be fools to try and figure them out.

"Okay," I said, scooping up my bag. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."s

"We study on Monday."

"I know, but I'll talk to you tomorrow."

That had been hours ago, and it was still bugging me when our doorbell rang. Friday night in my house is date night for my parents, so they'd left around six, heading to the city for dinner and a movie. Hailey was still grounded, so her bitchy scowl was intact as she flipped through the TV channels like a madwoman.

And me? I'd been sitting at the kitchen table texting Noah and Alex for the last hour. The two of them were trying to convince me to go to this big summer bush bash, but I didn't want to. Everyone would be there and I just...

Shit.

Summer parties at my end of the world consisted of bonfires, drinking, and music. The drinking I could handle. I wasn't doing it these days, especially not now that I was taking new meds since Tuesday.