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“It’s my fault.”

We both turn our head to look at Andrew. I almost forgot he’s here because he didn’t say much since I started telling them my story. He just sat there and listened—something completely uncharacteristic for him.

“What do you mean it’s your fault?” I frown at him. The whole situation didn’t make much sense to me.

He swallows the lump in his throat before continuing. For the first time in god only knows how long, Andrew looks almost guilty.

“Diamond and I... We started hooking up a while ago.”

“What?” Max and I exclaim at the same time. We glare at each other before concentrating on Drew again.

What the hell? Drew and Princess Bitch?

Okay, maybe that’s unfair, because not that long ago I hooked up with her too, but still.

“Yeah, well. Anyway, she called me that day. You know how she can get. All flirty and shit. I invited her to come over once we get back. She asked if the whole team would be there for a party or small gathering, but I said it’s a two-people kind of party.”

“Okay, but how did she know when to send her vulture over, dude?”

“She laughed at my two-people party and asked why is that so? Because before, there was usually always some kind of party after we came back from away game. So I told her that guys were busy. Some with school some with girls.”

“Andrew,” I groan. My head falls back and hits the cushion.

“I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t think too much about it at that time with all of this happening.”

“She hates me, Drew.” I look at my best friend. “She hates me, and I don’t know what to say or do to make it right.”

“I’m sorry.”

I know he’s sorry. I can see that. Andrew is always thinking about himself first and he never, ever apologizes. Not to anybody. This time, I know he really is sorry. He wouldn’t say it if he didn’t feel it. But him being sorry doesn’t change what happened. Doesn’t change the way Lia feels about me.

“What a bitch.”

“Yeah, well. Diamond will always be Diamond.” I turn around and face them. “Any idea how I can make this right?”

The smug smile appears on Max’s face.

Sanders stands and takes two beers from the table. He throws one at me, missing my head and almost breaking the window. “You would suck at football or baseball.”

I don’t know which one would be worse. Thank god I have quick reflexes, or Mom would kill me, and it wouldn’t have anything to do with my bruised face.

Sanders pops the lid on his beer and takes a pull. “I think I have an idea.”

Amelia

I walk through the hallways with my shoulder slumped and my head lowered. No matter how much I wanted to stay home, Mom wouldn’t let me, and even if she did let me, Brook or Max would probably come and drag my ass out of the bed. So here I am, back to trying to be invisible.

Today, just like the day before and the day before that, I skipped cafeteria. I didn’t have it in me to eat as much as I didn’t have it in me to spend a whole hour there trying to ignore curious stares and whispers from my classmates. So when the bell rang, I took my stuff and without looking up, started towards the library where I hid between bookshelves enjoying the silence and solitude.

It’s a shame that that hour always seems to pass too fast while the rest of the day, when I’m out there in the real world, drags slowly.

Two more classes and then I’m off the hook. I can go home and hide in my room until Monday.

I slip from the library with just enough time to go to my locker and switch the books.

“Dotty?” The voice behind me startles me and instead of slowly closing my locker the metal door bangs loudly.

“Andrew...”

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