Page 194 of We Shouldn't Be Together
Yvette is dodging her guilt about going to the dance studio. Camila is fleeing her abandonment issues that made us quit dance lessons. All because she thought her step-sister was getting more attention from her dad.
Everything is so impulsive and explosive.
What’s wrong with me?
Why do I keep putting up with this?
I look down at Camila’s hand clenched around my arm. The same hand that smacked across my face.
“Where’s your bracelet?” Camila asks.
I fling her off me and march toward the staircase leading toward the library.
“Where are you going?” Camila calls after me.
“Nowhere!” I shout, stomping up the stairs.
How many times do I need to keep circling around her? I already told myself, she doesn’t get to win anymore. I’m not her pet anymore. I don’t want to please her anymore.
I rush into the school library and plonk down at an empty table. I’m supposed to be going to social studies, but that would involve more time near Camila, and I’m not having that.
So what if the school sends my mother a note? It’s an easy class, and Mr. Myers basically hands us the answers. I just can’t do school right now. I need an out.
I text Kai."Hi. How’s history?"
"Full of bogus information I’d have to sift through to find the truth,"he replies."Do you have social studies right now?"
"Yeah, but I’ve skipped out."
"Bad girl. Where are you?"
"Library. I just can’t do Camila right now."
"I’ll try to get a bathroom pass and meet you."
"I’m probably going to see the nurse for a note so Mom doesn’t get sent an absentee notice."
Kai doesn’t text me back. I’m guessing he got clocked by his teacher. Hopefully, he didn’t get his phone confiscated.
I spend most of the period with my head resting against the desk. With ten minutes left of what should have been my social studies class, I drag myself out of the library.
Mrs. Whiteborne, the school nurse, doesn’t suspect I’m lying. If I’m being generous, I’d say my energy level is at a two. She comments I look pale and offers to call my parents to take me home. But I’d rather see Kai again.
I don’t see him until English class. It’s torture, being so close and not being able to talk or touch him. After class, he tells me he’s driving Jamie and his brother back to his place. It’s operation: Con his mom into letting Jamie stay over for a week.
I’m not onboard with the plan. Maybe it’s the way Jamie keeps giving me the stink eye any time she sees me with Kai. He says, I have nothing to be jealous about. But how can I not be? They’re incredibly close. If anything went down between me and Jamie, Kai would take her side. We’d be done for. Plus, anytime I stick up for her, she gives me no credit. She just keeps glaring at me with extreme hate.
What’s even the point? I’ll never be on her good side.
And I’m done with trying to win over mean girls.
Mom drives me to dance class, prattling on about the upcoming society event committee meeting. I only catch every third word. My nerves about returning to class, and being an uncoordinated mess, have me going haywire.
“Mom, I don’t care about this stupid meeting.”
Mom clenches the steering wheel. “What have I told you about the bratty attitude?”
“I’m not being a brat.”
