Page 21 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

Poppy

“Do you have to show off?”Sofia asked me as I flipped over again.

Traipsing over to her, I dropped down onto the end of the lounger. “I need to burn off some steam.”

“Can’t you do it without looking so… graceful?” Her lips twisted, and I returned her smile.

“You’re just jealous you’re not as bendy as I am.”

“Maybe.” She chuckled. “I have brains. You have brains and bendiness. It doesn’t seem fair somehow.”

“You do know bendiness isn’t officially a word, right?”

“It is now.” Sofia poked her tongue out at me and let out a soft sigh. “It’s getting cooler.”

“Yeah, summer is over.” It had been for a couple of weeks now. The first signs of fall were already everywhere, but we liked to make the most of every possible moment outdoors, and we had the perfect yard for tumbling.

Sofia let out another sigh and I glanced at her. “What’s up?”

“Do you ever wish that you were one of them?”

“Am I supposed to know who you’re talking about?”

“The popular girls.”

“We’re pop—” She gave me a look and I conceded. “Fine. We’re not Zara Willis level popular. But I’d rather be us than like her. Why do you ask?”

“Because sometimes it feels like…” Sofia hesitated and that had my attention. I’d never known her to be so unsure of herself. “I’m invisible.”

“What? No way. You’re beautiful and clever and any guy would be lucky to call you his.”

Something like heartache flitted across her expression. “So why have I never been on a date? It’s senior year and I can count my sexual experiences on one hand and one of those is with myself. It’s depressing.”

“It’s not like I’ve been on any dates either.”

“Yeah, but you’re Coach Ford’s daughter. It’s different.”

“Your mom is the guidance counselor. That’s pretty intimidating.”

“Maybe.” She shrugged. “But if a guy liked me… really liked me, he wouldn’t let that stop him, right?”

“Sofia,” I said. “Is there someone you—”

“What? No! No. I just… I don’t know. It’s senior year and I thought it would be different. I thought… it doesn’t matter. I’m being silly.”

“Let’s make a pact.”

“A pact?” Her brow lifted. “You mean like yours and Aaron’s sex pact?”

“I am not discussing that with you. Besides, we were fifteen. We didn’t know what we were talking about.”

“Fine.”

“Fine.” I poked my tongue out at her. “Anyway, you’re right. It’s senior year, Sofe. We owe it to ourselves to make it the best senior year ever.”

“And how do you propose we do that?”

“I don’t know. Party more. Kiss boys. Step out of our comfort zones.”

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