Page 202 of We Shouldn't Be Together
It hits me in the chest. “So, it’s true?”
“No.” It’s like she’s gasping for air on the other end. “Not exactly.”
“Tell me the truth.”
“Camila’s still gunning for her, and Yvie is her shadow.” Another gulp of air. “They look at me, waiting for me to add something. I… I… Uh, you’re not gonna like it.”
“I already don’t like it.”
“I tried to help, I promise.”
“What does that mean?”
“I tried to say something to defend Jamie, but it came out all wrong. I didn’t know what I was saying. I don’t mean for things to come out nasty, but somehow, I still offend people.”
Her tone. Her bratty, mean girl tone. It still comes out, even though she’s trying to fight it.
“I fall apart under their stares,” she whispers. “I hate this. I don’t want to keep doing this.”
I rub the ache from my brow and pace alongside the sofa. “You keep trying to save yourself from them.”
“Kai, I just… Oh, I hate the idea of you hating me.”
“Tabby.” I halt in place, not knowing where my words will take me. “I don’t hate you, but you can’t keep doing this.”
“I know,” she murmurs. “I don’t want to.”
“You need to stop. If you don’t… If you’re going behind my back and harassing Jamie, I can’t…”
“I’m not,” she blurts. “I promise.”
“I couldn’t be with you, if you were.”
There’s a distinct whimper through the phone line. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“Then why were you with Camila?”
“I walked away from her. That’s why I was in the library instead of social studies.”
“Why didn’t you tell me the whole story?”
“Because I wanted to forget it happened. It made me sick. Plus, I knew you’d side with Jamie instead of me.”
“Tabby, I pick you. But you know I don’t tolerate anyone ragging on my friends.”
“I know. Ugh. It’s just Camila. She keeps trying to have a hold over me.”
I groan. “Tabby, do you still want to be friends with these girls?”
“No.”
“Then stop letting them rope you into stuff.”
“Camila ambushed me.”
“I told you, I’m not letting her get to you anymore, and it’s time to put my money where my mouth is. You’ll hang out with me and my friends from now on.”
“What?” it comes out of her shakily. “Will your friends be okay with that?”
