Page 48 of As You Walk On

“Jack,” he replies with a bigger grin. “Oh, wait. No.Thisis Jack.” He lifts his cup. “Jack and ginger... like me!”

River sputters out a laugh. Luca hides his eyes behind a hand while Makayla’s jaw drops open, clearly amazed by the levels of intoxicated this boy has reached. I rub deep circles into my left temple. It takes a moment for my brain cells to recalibrate.

“I’m Bry,” Drunk Boy says. “Short for Bryan. Actually, short for Bryant. I have no earthly clue what my parents were smoking when they—”

“Save it for the Wiki entry,Bry,” interrupts Aleah.

“Yasssss!” He snaps his fingers in a circle. I swear Aleah’s about to go full velociraptor on him, clawing out his spleen.

Bryant turns to Makayla with a sleazy look that makes my skin itch.

“Are you guys having an orgy?” he asks her.

“Excuse me?”

“Y’know...” He clumsily swirls his cup around the room like it’s supposed to explain something. “Bedroom. Multiple—uh, respectably hot people.” His nose wrinkles before he quickly adds, “No homo, dudes.”

Correction: I’m going to gnaw out Bryant’s jugular. And enjoy it.

“Then there’s you.” Bryant licks his lips while eyeing Makayla.“Swipe Right Mack, yeah? Kind of obvious what’s gonna happen if you’re here.”

Makayla swallows slowly. Her chest rises and falls rapidly.

The name—Swipe Right Mack—is the worst. No one dares say it to Makayla’s face. It’s whispered in locker rooms, bathrooms, hallways. On private text chains I’ve seen secondhand. From asshats who think they’re funny. Groups where sex is a victory and currency. I don’t know the origin of the nickname. Only that it’s followed her since late freshman year. A play off a dating app function:Mack Lawrence swipes right on every boy who wants to hook up at a party. She never turns anyone down.

It’s not just the boys at Brook-Oak who whisper about Makayla.

It’s the girls at corner lunch tables. In the bleachers at games. Ruthless mid-tier social climbers doing whatever it takes to scratch their way to the top.

Makayla’s their favorite target.

“So, mind if I join?”

Even with the cup to his lips, it’s obvious Bryant’s grinning, waiting on Makayla’s reply. A dog anticipating his treat. She gives him nothing.

River steps forward. “Leave.”

The height difference between them and Bryant is staggering. That doesn’t matter. River stands as tall as possible, shoulders drawn back.

“Excuse you?” Bryant peers down, offended.

“There’s no orgy. No vacancy for you here.” They push up their glasses. “Go away.”

“I didn’t ask you—”

“You heard them,” Aleah says from behind River. “Peace out, Bry.”

To Aleah’s right, Luca’s fists clench at his sides.

Bryant wobbles while trying to walk backward. I’m not sure if it’s the alcohol or sheer terror at Aleah’s unwavering glare. He huffs, “Cool. Time for a refill anyway,” tossing his empty cup on the ground before stumbling down the hall.

I shoulder the door closed and lock it.

I’m done with uninvited guests.

When I turn around, everyone but Aleah is huddled around Makayla. Aleah’s on the floor, legs crisscrossed, phone in hand. Luca guides Makayla to sit on the bed. In the same spot he and I were before. I’m an asshole for this, I know, but... for five whole seconds, I’m annoyed.

I shouldn’t be.

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