Page 135 of We Shouldn't Be Together
“Well, you know we’ve been studying together, right?”
“Barely. Are you saying you’ve hung out with her outside of school?”
I nod, feeling beads of sweat forming on my hairline. “Yeah, a few times.”
“Eww. Why?“ She pushes herself further into the corner of the couch. “It’s not like you to let Mrs. Field win. Why didn’t you sabotage the assignment to make your teacher bend to your will?”
“Because it wasn’t worth it getting back to Coach Lyle and having him bench me over something so ridiculous.”
“So, spending time with Tabitha was better? What planet am I living on?”
I groan, turning away from her as I swipe a hand against my clammy forehead. “Jamie, I’m trying to tell you something important.”
“News flash, I don’t want to hear about you spending time with Tabitha. It was sickening any time you made me recount the nasty things she’s said to me.”
I swallow hard and look back at my fuming friend. “And what about the times she’s stuck up for you?”
She grimaces, shuddering in her crouched position. “What times?”
I sweep my arms wide, flabbergasted. “Hello. She’s stuck her neck out for you countless times. How could you not have appreciated that?”
Jamie leaps off the couch. “Do you realize who you’re talking to right now?”
I exaggerate my blinks. “Yes, Jamie, I see you.”
“So, why are you trying to make me praise Tabitha? Are Camila and Yvette next on your list?”
“What? No, of course not.”
“It’s bad enough I have to deal with the Miss Perfects at school. Can we not ruin a Friday night with their memory?”
My gut turns in on itself, and I sigh at my knees. Jamie can’t see Tabitha without the other two. I can’t really blame her, considering her past encounters with the trio. But if she’d just give Tabitha a chance on her own, we wouldn’t be having this argument. My hand turns into a fist. How could Jamie not recognize the times Tabitha put herself in danger to save Jamie from further verbal attacks?
I look up at Jamie and force my hand to unclench. “Did you know Camila slapped Tabitha today?”
Jamie burst into laughter. “What? Are you serious?”
I flinch, jolting back on the couch. “Laughing? James, is that seriously your reaction?”
She lifts her hands questioningly. “What? Those two are the cattiest girls in my phys-ed class. It’s hilarious they took each other out.”
“I… I…” I’m shook. I don’t know where to look. I sure as heck can’t look at Jamie’s face right now. “I can’t with you.”
“Can’t what? I don’t get why you’re not celebrating those two taking each other out.”
“Did I say Tabitha hit Camila? No. Camila attacked Tabitha. End of story.”
“So that’s why you’re suddenly Team Tabitha? You feel sorry for her? Sorry, I can’t just forget the vile things she’s done to deserve it.”
“This conversation is going nowhere.”
Screw this. I’m not telling her. I’m not having her continue to mock and ridicule the girl I like.
“I’ll say.” Jamie taps her knuckles on the top of my head. “What did you get up to today? Did you get another concussion?”
“Hey!” I yelp, flinging my head away from her. “Watch it with the knuckles.”
“Well, there has to be a better explanation for you being so weird.”
