Amara Holland is ready to fly by senior year as painlessly as possible. Isaac Coleman is ready to graduate and leave a town that thinks he's someone he's not. They've been at the same school since they can remember and yet have never had a real conv...
"No, I'm not going to switch lockers with you, Roger."
"C'mon, Zoe. I switched with you when you asked."
"Your reason for wanting to switch back is disgusting."
Fourth period just ended, which means the transition time for lunch is now. I was not expecting to see Zoe and Roger speaking to each other when I got to my locker, but here we are.
"What's going on?" I question.
Roger looks at me with a sleazy grin. "Hey, Amara. I was just telling Zoe that I need my old locker back."
"And I was just telling Roger that that's not going to happen," Zoe tells me.
As they begin to stare each other down, I get a text.
amara you can't keep ignoring my messages
It's Jordan. Again. He's been trying for almost a month.
"Listen," Roger says, getting my attention. "This will be beneficial to all."
"I can hardly see any way that it's beneficial for anybody but yourself." Zoe scoffs.
"Well maybe not for you, Zoe," Roger gets uncomfortably close to me. "But it's a win-win for me and Amara." He squeezes my butt, and I snap.
"Don't touch me!" I shout, shoving him forcefully.
He stumbles into Zoe, who shoves him harder, causing him to lose his balance and fall.
"You're a bitch." He spits out. "You both are."
This commotion causes people to stop what they're doing and look at us. My face heats up at the unwanted attention.
"The fuck are you looking at?" Roger's tone is aggressive as he addresses our audience.
They quickly avert their gazes and go to lunch. Zoe does the same, and after Roger collects his bruised masculinity, he leaves too.
I send Jordan a quick text, asking him to meet at Nazario's soon. He replies that he'll be there, and I pack up my things. There's no way I'm staying here for the rest of the day.
I'm walking towards the front doors when I hear Xavier call out my name.
"What could you possibly want from me now?" I ask, turning to face him.
"Where are you going?"
"Not that it's any of your business, but I'm going to Nazario's."
"By yourself?"
"No, with Jordan."
"Emery's brother? Wow," he lets out a humorless laugh. "So fucking my friend's brother wasn't enough. You're fucking your best friend's brother too."
"Don't use that language with me, Xavier."
He continues. "Is this like a thing? Sleeping with people's brothers?"
"Xavier Santiago. I don't have time for this. It's only," I check my phone. "12:11 and I've already had a pretty crappy day. The last thing I need is my little brother slut-shaming me."
"I -"
"Find your own damn ride for the rest of the month," I say, leaving before he can say anything else.
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