Page 34 of As the Rain Falls
“Are you going to the library later? I think that we can go together. The earlier we get there, the higher the chance of us finding a good spot. You know how crowded it gets, and I don’t want to be sitting by the tiny bathroom again, Cassie. That’s where the med students like to go to throw up.”
“We can go if you really want to, but listen to me,” I sigh dramatically, pressing my left hand against her arm and giving it a little squeeze, trying to get her to look at me. Kayla gives me a curious glance, and I smile slyly.“I’m really tired, so you’ll have to besuper extra niceto me if we’re going to do this together.”
Her face twists into a scowl, brown almond-shaped eyes narrowing suspiciously. Kayla smacks her lips together disapprovingly before answering.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Am I not usually kind?”
The golden earrings hanging around her ears jingle, knotting around her braids. I shake my head lightly, moving to fix her up.
Unlike me, Kayla never sticks to one kind of look. She enjoys getting new piercings, trying new combinations, and testing whatever style comes to mind. For as long as I’ve known her, she’s always done whatever she wanted with her appearance, regardless of if others find it pretty or not. That’s what makes her the coolest girl I know.
“Well,” I pause, biting my lower lip until the dry skin starts to peel off. Her jaw twitches with impatience. I wave my hand around her face, bringing my forefinger and thumb together. “Is it bad if I can tell that you’re this close to losing it?”
Kayla rolls her eyes at me.
“I amsonot!”
“Yousoare!” I insist.
Knowing her like I do—and I know Kayla really well—she’s probably trying to find me another teacher by now.I’m a bit of a lost cause when it comes to math.
“You’re a little liar… A little liar who lies, Cassandra!”
“Well, let’s see what happens after the test!” I voice cheekily.
She slaps my arm lightly, her cheeks blushing with embarrassment for being called out.
“Stop giving me so much attitude when I’m much better at it than you are. I will hurt your feelings if I have to, Ms. Rivera.”
“Ms. Rivera?” I snort. “Don’t call me that!”
The school’s cafeteria is still filling by the time we walk in.
I lean my head against her shoulder. Kayla is only a bit taller than me, and it’s a very convenient and comfortable position to be in.
She pokes my nose. “You’re grumpy.”
“Of course, I am!”I whine, glancing at her with pitiful eyes. “Mrs. Yun will fail me!”
“I really don’t think she can do that.”
“She failed Tony, remember?” I point out.
Antony Silva should have graduated by now. He got held back this summer, and the board decided to keep him around for another year to improve his college acceptances.According to my father, his results were quite catastrophic.
“I don’t know, Cassie. You are a more dedicated student than he is.” Kayla throws her hair back dramatically, her braids circling around her and hitting me in the face in the process. I gently pull them back, fixing the way they look against her chest. “And you’re not as stupid either.”
I frown.
“That’s not very nice!”
“Bitch, I’m being honest. Your math is a struggle, but at least you try.” Kayla raises her hand, as if swearing. “I promise to help you improve whatever grade you get. We just have to work extra hard.”
I joke with a teasing smile, “Maybe your teaching sucks; have you thought about that?”
“You’re really out to get me today, aren’t you?” Kayla doesn’t miss a beat.“Maybe we should find you another teacher.”
“Like who?” I laugh openly, throwing my head back.
