Page 261 of Something Rad
“What do you mean you’re not valedictorian anymore?” Robbie questions me.
“Jesse passed me,” I shrug. “I'm graduating as salutatorian now.”
Robbie simply blinks at me, not responding.
I stare back at him expectantly, but, once a few more seconds go by without him saying anything, I tilt my head at him. “You know, I always get chocolate milkshakes, but I think I could go for a strawberry one today. Doesn’t that sound good?”
Silence.
“It definitely does,” I say. “I’m gonna mix it up. Take a walk on the wide side.” I shimmy my shoulders, winking at Robbie before turning around to continue heading to his car.
Robbie’s hands quickly find my shoulders, spinning me back around to face him. “Okay, Cooper, whoa. I’m gonna need you to slow down and put it in reverse.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
Robbie shakes his head, an incredulous look on his face. “How are you just okay with this?”
I steel my spine. “Why shouldn’t I be?” I ask him. “I can’t change it. Not now. What’s the point in getting upset?”
Robbie steps closer. “You’ve worked so hard for this though. I mean…how did this even happen? Did your grades drop?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Of courseit matters,” Robbie insists.
I rear back. “I’m sorry, what do your grades look like right now, Robbie?”
He barks out a laugh. “That’s irrelevant. Because I don’t care about my grades. I never have. But you do.”
I press my lips together. “I’m still salutatorian. I’m still second in our class. It’s not that big of a deal.”
“I don’t understand. In what world is this not a big deal to you, Cooper?”
“In this one, apparently,” I insist. “Robbie, I just…don’t care. Not anymore. It’s done. And I’d really be happy if we could just not talk about it anymore.”
“Happy…” Robbie repeats, shaking his head.
“Yes?” I question him.
“School makes you happy, Cooper. Working hard and pouring everything you have into an exam or project for the end result to be worth it. Taking pride in what you do, in who you are. Being a perfectionist and not being willing to accept less than the absolute best.Beingthe best…Thatmakes you happy.”
I blow out a deep breath, crossing my arms. “You make me happy.”
Robbie’s lips part, his head tilting just as the school bell rings, dismissing everyone from lunch.
“It’s now or never,” I say, taking the last few steps it takes to reach the door, pushing it open. “Are you coming with me or am I walking?”
Robbie looks at me for a few seconds, then reaches up, rubbing the back of his neck. He glances around us, seeing all of the people walking to class, and I know he wants to be one of them just about as much as I do right now. “Yeah, okay,” he nods. “Fine. Let’s go.”
I clap my hands, standing aside for him to walk through the doorway. As we make our way down the steps, I reach for Robbie’s hand. He lets me take it, lifting both of our hands up and pulling me to his side to wrap his arm around me.
We walk silently to his car, Robbie pressing a kiss to the top of my head just before we get there. I look up at him, catching his eyes.
“Still love me?” I ask, smiling.
His eyes are soft as he looks down at me, running a hand over the top of my hair. “Always, Cooper.”
fifty-four
