Page 5 of The Forever After Bet

“Maybe it’s better that way.” I sigh.

“It’s definitely better,” Jack says.

We go through the Taco Bell drive-thru. The guys get food, but all I get is a Mt. Dew. I need something to pick me up. I can’t handle sitting through another class with Hannah. It’s too hard, but I skipped out on French last Friday, and I don’t want to miss two classes in a row. So, I go to the nurse’s room with a headache. She gives me some acetaminophen and lets me lie on the bed with an ice pack. I don’t know how to do this. I don’t want to do this. Jack said we should talk, but I’m not ready.

3. Hot Commodity

I sit in my usual seat for calculus. I’m not sure why since I’ve moved seats in every class to avoid Ford; but the last hour proved traumatic on several levels. I know why Ford ran out of chemistry at the beginning of class. It’s because he saw my bare hand. It’s all I could do to hold myself together. Then Violet came up and said she’d switch seats with me. I’d asked Landon to ask her when she got to class. I couldn’t back out, even though part of me wanted to.

I should’ve said, never mind, and stayed where I was. Sitting awkwardly next to Ford would have been better than being threatened in the hallway by Violet while everyone stared. Apparently, sitting next to him didn’t go the way she wanted. I heard Ford ask if she was crazy at the end of class and then take off. Ford is the most easy-going guy, and he takes everything with a grain of salt. Whatever she said or did must have been severe for him to take off like that. She probably asked if he wanted to hook up in the janitor’s closet or something.

The tardy bell rings, and Mr. Nelson starts class. I glance around the room, wondering if Ford sat somewhere else, but he’s not here. It should be a relief, but it makes my chest tighten and ache. I pull my gold chain from under my shirt and play with the rings. Holding them in my hand brings me comfort. I have a single thread of hope left. That Ford will keep his promise to me. I’m going to do what I’ve done most of my high school career and put my head down and persevere until the end of the year. I’ll make the most out of dance and cheerleading, but I want high school to be over.

When we finish cheer practice, in the upper gym I pull Leah aside. “Hey, I need a favor. I know I’ve asked you for a lot lately, but—”

“Clark, I got your back. What do you need?”

“I’m co-chairs for the Christmas fundraiser with Bree.”

“Oh, my gosh—yuck.”

I shake my head. “Yeah, our first meeting is tonight with all the other kids that signed up to help. Would you please come? I’m not sure who signed up. Mrs. Landry handled that, and I’m afraid it will be all of Bree’s mean friends. June said she’d come after she’s done with the musical next week, but I need at least one friendly face there tonight.”

Leah wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Count me in.”

I sigh, relieved. “Thank you so much.”

“Just one question. Why are you co-chairing with Bree?”

I purse my lips. “Mrs. Landry is making us.”

“Uh, making you?”

“Yup. I don’t want to talk about it. I want to help, and that’s all that matters.”

“Okay, but I’m here when you want to talk.”

“I know, and I promise when Bree pisses me off, you’ll be the first person I vent to.”

“Awesome.” Leah smiles at me.

“Hey, what’s going on?” Aubrey asks, coming up to us.

“We’re volunteering for the Christmas fundraiser,” Leah says, giving Aubrey a cheesy smile.

“Cool.” Aubrey wraps her arm around my other side, and we head downstairs.

Coach Harris blows his whistle, ending basketball practice as we step off the last stair. Aubrey calls Cameron’s name, walking out on the court, but Leah keeps her arm around me, and we head toward the locker room.

“Hey, Clark!” a guy yells at me. It’s not someone I recognize, so I turn around. A boy on the basketball team waves as he walks toward Leah and me. “Hey, how are you?”

“Uh, I’m okay.” I shrug. I can feel Ford’s eyes on me.

“Do you know who I am?” He tilts his head, giving me a cocky smile.

“You’re Ryker Baldwin. You play forward.”

“Yeah, nice, you know basketball, that’s awesome.”

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