Page 12 of The Rebel
Mom frowned but I skipped off before I could be told off for something else. Volley had settled on my bed, nestled in the spot between my two pillows. I patted him and spoke to him in my cat voice but he was uninterested, licking his fur. I sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed, leaving the pizza plate on my bedside table. My appetite was non-existent, not because of the hot chocolate with the whipped cream and sprinkles, but because I was nervous about talking to Gabby.
Having to apologize had my stomach churning, because how did I explain the way I’d snapped at her? She had no idea she was dating my crush. I’d have to say I’d been over tired from the flight. That would be a legitimate excuse.
A throb teased at my temples and I rubbed the area in tiny circular motions. Maybe I’d hit my head harder than I’d thought.
My phone buzzed and I rested it against a pillow as Gabby came into view on the screen.
“Hey Vali, how are you feeling?”
“I’m okay,” I drawled in a pitiful voice, one that cried out for sympathy.
“We couldn’t really see what happened, just that you’d fallen off,” Gabby said, and not exactly disguising her disappointment in me, “Uh, we did try to tell you not to.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said, sucking up my pride and hoping to clear the air between us. “I’m sorry I shouted at you. Guess I was more tired than I realized. I fell asleep as soon as I got home. But I couldn’t help it that Ollie Sinclair crashed into me.”
“Ollie? Oh, I thought it was Jade,” she said.
“No, it was Ollie.”
“I would have given you a ride home,” Gabby said, “But Jade was pretty insistent.”
I shrugged, though she was right. Jade had been adamant, likely guilt over Ollie running into me.
“Well, you can give me a ride to school tomorrow,” I said with a laugh. “Your car looks so cool. Did you choose it?”
“No, it was a total surprise,” Gabby said. “I had no idea. They didn’t give it to me until the very last day of birthday week. And they put the key in a jewelery box, so when I first opened it, I thought it would be earrings or a necklace.”
Oh yeah, did I tell you Gabby’s parents were ultra awesome and the Pelzer family celebrated the whole week of your birthday, yep, meaning you got seven gifts or surprises. I’d been unable to convince Mom and Dad that we should adopt that policy too.
“That’s just crazy,” I said. “I’m crazy jealous.”
“Well, you’ll have yours by summer,” Gabby said. “It’s not too long to wait.”
“It’s months away,” I grumbled, “though it does mean you can be my personal driver.”
Gabby’s snort of laughter didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Actually, Vali...” She paused and took in a deep breath. “I have band practice tomorrow morning. I need to be at school at seven.”
This new revelation left me gaping, and even if I could have spoken, Gabby gabbled on, “Yeah, Scott asked me to join his band and we’re rehearsing tomorrow morning.”
“Scott has a band?” This seemed to be another thing I didn’t know.
“Yeah,” Gabby’s laughter rang out. “Scott and his friend have started a band and they want me to join.”
“Like a rock band?”
“No, not rock,” Gabby giggled, her shoulders bunching and her eyes crinkling. “It’s more like jazz. I’m playing the keyboards.”
“I didn’t know you liked jazz?”
“Yeah, it’s actually pretty cool,” Gabby said. “I’m learning to like it.”
I smiled back brightly, hoping I was hiding all my emotions of surprise and shock and confusion, but I didn’t need to be a genius to know that Gabby was in deep. Scott wasn’t merely a crush to her, they had stuff in common. A real connection that wasn’t based on looks and a casual hold of a hand.
“Heyyyyy,” I said, mustering up what little acting talent I had, “So you and Scott really like each other?”
Gabby gave a little squeal, nodding furiously. “Yep.” She exhaled through pursed lips. “Oh Valencia, I’ve been dying to tell you about Scott, but it didn’t seem right until I saw you in person. I knew you’d be happy for me.”
My cheeks puffed out, frozen, completely frozen as I nodded along with her. It hit me that I was now trapped in the worst role of all—supportive best friend, the third wheel.
