Page 99 of Broken Ties (Rixon High 4)

“Tell me about it.”

“Listen to the pair of us.” Eli chuckled. “It’s senior year and we’re acting like it’s the end of the world.”

“Nope, just the end of lunch blues.” This time when I smiled, it wasn’t forced.

“Shit, is that the time?” He glanced at his wristwatch. “I’ve got to go. I’ve got a meeting with Coach.”

“Go, go.” I waved him off. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“You bet.” Eli grabbed his bag and tray and came around the table, dropping a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll see you later, Poppy.”

“Bye.”

He took off, weaving around the tables. Sofia chose that moment to appear, looking a little pale.

“Everything okay?” I asked. She’d returned to school yesterday but she was already looking worn out.

“Anemia is no joke, Pops. I feel drained.”

“Have you told your mom? Or the school nurse? Maybe—”

“Shh.” She slid onto the bench next to me and pressed her hand against my mouth. “I’m fine. I need to be in school. Staying at home watching daytime TV is not healthy.”

“Sounds like bliss to me.” I popped a chip into my mouth.

“What’s up with you and Eli?”

“Nothing’s up. We ate lunch together.”

“Alone, at this table at the back of the cafeteria.” She gave me a knowing look. “It’s almost like you’re hiding.”

“Sofe, we were not hiding.”

“So you wanted some privacy then? For all the kissing and—”

“Will you stop?” My lips twisted.

“Sorry. I’m just trying to figure out where your head is at.”

“I enjoy his company.” I shrugged.

“And…”

“He’s nice.”

“And…”

“I think I’m going to say yes and go to Homecoming with him. I mean, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s just a school dance. It’s not like prom or anything.”

“You don’t need to feel guilty, Poppy.”

“I don’t.”

“Good, because my jerk face of a brother is going with Zara.”

“I know.”

I’d heard her talking about it, telling anyone who would listen that she’d bagged a date with Aaron Bennet.

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