The Same Mistakes Club

Chapter Nine

My headache wasn't going to go away once I got to my locker and saw Gabriel.  I was so preoccupied with Maishely that I had forgotten that I'd have to deal with him, too.  There was no way to avoid him.

Not only didn't I know what to say to him, but I didn't know how I was supposed to feel.  Should I be mad at him?  Should I be grateful to him for confirming once more that guys only use girls?  Granted, I didn't know what had happened, but I felt it had to have been his fault.

"Hey there, Madison," he said as I opened up my locker.

"Hey, what's new - I mean, not what's new, um..." I closed my eyes, hoping he'd just turn and walk away.

"Well, I see it only took twenty-four hours for the news to make its way around school," he replied.

I looked over at him and didn't know what to say.

"Anyways," he went on, "I hear you and Maishely are going out tonight."

I stared at him blankly.  How did he know that?

"Hey, it's okay.  I'm glad you guys are hanging out.  To tell you the truth, I'm a little worried about Maishely.  You know how catty some people can be."

I tried not to think of Margaret... or myself.

"What's up, Smithers?" Jacob came from around the corner.  I'd never been so happy to see him in my life... at least until he walked over and put his arm around me.  "I don't give a crap that you're single now - you best stay away from my girl."

For the first time, Gabriel seemed thrown off.

Jacob, however, didn't pick up on this.  He went on, "Now why don't you run along and start breaking some hearts while me partnero en espanol and I head to class?" As he grabbed my arm and guided me toward class, he started shaking his head.  "I'm telling you," he said with an overdone sigh, "having Smithers be single is going to be trouble."

Gabriel was right about news traveling fast through school - it was all anybody could talk about.  I tried to not get caught up in it, but as the lone member of The Same Mistakes Club, I couldnt' help but notice how unfair everybody was being.  Nobody seemed to worry about Gabriel.  Of course, he would have a new girlfriend soon enough, but if he didn't, it wasn't a big deal.  It was his choice.  Guys rule.

But Maishely was treated like damaged goods.  The victim.  A heartbroken, devastated shell of a person.

When people talked about Gabriel, they were high-fiving, talking about his freedom.

With Maishely, people were speaking in low voices, like she should've been ashamed to be single again.

So.  Unfair.

I knew this.  But it was still extremely awkward to be with Maishely after school.  I kept hearing a voice in my head that said, The only reason she didn't cancel on you is because she doesn't have a boyfriend.

On our way over to the diner, we talked about our families, how Ariana was doing at college, how her mother was remodeling their kitchen again, and... One Direction.  When we got there, we talked about classes.  Then what we were going to order.  Then, when it seemed like the only thing left besides the breakups (ours, hers... pick one) was to discuss the weather, we simply stared at each other.

"So," Maishely finally said as she picked at her salad.  "How's Kevin?  Does he still spend the summer with you guys?"

My stomache tightened.  "I don't want to talk about it."

"Oh." Maishely looked down, realizing her question had backfired.  She seemed so sad as she pushed her fork around her plate.

Finally, she looked up again.  "Can I tell you something?"