Page 5 of Not that Impressed
You are allowed to exist without explanation, my therapist would tell me. I say whose opinion gets a vote, and I’m deciding right now that Will doesn’t.
I glance back to where I last saw him. His girlfriend is still there, but Will is gone. Good. My shoulders relax, and I try to let the confrontation slip away.
An hour later, when I’ve made small talk with a dozen guys from my dad’s team while Janelle hangs out with Charlie, I’m still thinking about Will. I search out Charlie’s dog, the chocolate lab that stole Janelle’s heart, and find a seat on the patio near where Charlie and Janelle are talking.
With Coco sprawled across my lap like she thinks she’s a purse dog, and the comfort that comes from stroking her silky coat, I let my mind wander back to Will again. Why did I react so strongly to his statement?
Maybe because I thought we’d be friends? There was a tiny moment when I first walked in. Janelle headed straight for Charlie, and he met her as soon as he saw her. I glanced at Will, and he had this protective expression as he watched them too. It should’ve irked me that he was worried about my sister, but I got it. He was looking out for his best friend, the same way I side-eye any guy that shows interest in Janelle. Since I knew about the way people came after him last year for a dumb rumor, I thought we’d be able to connect about how people on social media will trust pretty much anything but the truth.
And then he dismissed me so carelessly, believing the same things everyone else does. He didn’t create this wound, but he definitely pressed on it.
“Well?” I ask Janelle when we’re finally pulling away from Charlie’s and headed to our apartment. Only a few people head to their cars from the party since we’re among the last to leave. No one’s rushing in the warmth of an early September eveningin Texas, and we wave to a few football players as they meander back to cars parked further down the block.
“He’s just so…” Janelle looks over at me with a wide smile before turning back to watch the gate that’s slowly opening to let us out of the neighborhood. She shrugs, and that’s all I get.
I start laughing. “Perfectly clear, Nell.”
Her smile widens even more, if that’s possible. Her cheeks are pink again, but from giddiness, I think. And her eyes are bright. “He’s going to help out at the school supply drive next week. We won’t flirt or anything.”
I nod. The crew is scheduled to film the drive Janelle’s nonprofit is hosting to collect school supplies for refugee families.
“And he totally gets it, keeping things friendly for now because of who we are.” She sighs with so much contentment, I could go back and squeeze Charlie in gratitude. His cheerful, thoughtful nature won me over right off the bat. It’s easy to see why Janelle was instantly drawn to him. “And,” she goes on. “It feels like he really wanted to know who I was behind the cameras.”
That’s ironic. How can Will be Charlie’s best friend when they’re such opposites? Even before Will showed his true nature with his comments, his trademark scowl at games always gives major Strong Silent Type.
Janelle must notice the change in my expression. “I can’t believe Will said that stuff about you.”
“It’s nothing.” I don’t want to ruin the happy little cloud she’s floating on right now.
“El.” Janelle so rarely does the big-sister look that I cave.
“His girlfriend probably started it. I’m over it. Totally.”
She frowns. “That’s Charlie’s sister, Kara. She’s not Will’s girlfriend.” Her brows furrow. “She was nice to me.”
Because Janelle isthe sweet one.“I didn’t hear what started their conversation. Maybe it was Will. I don’t know.”
“Maybe.” She sounds hopeful.
I reach over and take Janelle’s hand, squeezing it. “All that matters is that Charlie is amazing.” I draw out the last word, and she shoves me away, but her grin is back and that’s what’s important to me.
Isla
@Mr.Colin is doing a collab with me for the Glow True launch!!!
Ellie
That’s great!
Isla
No emojis. I’ve known you long enough to know that you’re not actually excited.
Ellie
I am!!!!
Isla
