On my opposite side, Rowan chuckles and then pets my shoulder. “It’s okay, Addison, it’s over now.”
I stand abruptly and climb my way past Rowan and down the aisle, not looking back until I make it into the bathroom. I shut myself in the nearest stall so I can hear if anyone comes in and dig out my phone from my pocket. Praying that Laila will be home this time, I dial her number. By the third ring, I can hardly breathe.
“Hey, girl.”
“Hi,” I say in relief. “You’re there. Where have you been?”
“You’re not the only one who had to get a new social life.”
The words sting, even though I know she doesn’t mean for them to. Of course she has to get new friends. It’s not like I’m sitting at home waiting on her phone call. I am out, trying to have some sort of life without my best friend. Just like she is.
“So, what’s wrong?” she asks.
“I thought we could be friends, but I don’t think he likes me at all and he probably brought me here as a favor for his really creepy friend and I hate Bobby Baker,” I say, my words tumbling over one another.
“What? Slow down. Who are we talking about? Bobby?”
I try to breathe deep, but it feels like the air can’t get through the emotions wedged in my chest. “No. I wish you could come pick me up.”
“Where are you?”
“At the movies.” I sit on the back of the toilet and rest my feet on the seat.
“With who?”
“I came with Trevor, but like I said, I think he brought me here as a favor for his friend Rowan, who’s like an overzealous Chihuahua.”
“Aw, Chihuahuas are cute.”
“Okay, fine then, a hairless cat that wants you to pet it so it rubs along your leg all night.”
“Ew.”
“Exactly.”
“What makes you think he’s setting you up with his friend?”
A long section of toilet paper is clinging by a corner to the roll. I kick it and watch it slide to the ground. “Well, the first time I met Rowan he was really adamant about me going to this party. So now I’m thinking maybe Rowan said something to Trevor about me. Trevor probably told Rowan he’d get me to come on a group date or something.”
“You were right. Trevor is my replacement. I would totally do something like that.”
“Set me up with a creepy guy?”
“No, Trevor doesn’t think Rowan is a creep. What I mean is, if a guy I thought was cool came up to me and told me he liked you, I would definitely make it my goal to get the two of you in the same place to see if you liked him too. It’s my job as your best friend. So see, Trevor thinks you’re cool.”
“Really?”
“Yes, for sure.”
I’m finally able to take a deep breath. She’s right. Trevor has no idea how Rowan makes me feel.
“Hey, I have something that will cheer you up,” she says.
“What?”
“I was looking at the football schedule, and in two weeks, the Compound plays Carter High. I’m going to go so I can see you.”
“Really?” I almost slip off the back of the toilet in my excitement. “That makes me so happy. I didn’t realize they played schools so far away.”
“That’s because you don’t follow football.”
“You only follow it because of the hot guys.”
She gasps in faux offense. “So untrue … sort of. Anyway, you aren’t that far away. Your school is in our league because they have Containment Committee members stationed there to supervise and prevent leaks. It’s all carefully calculated, my pet. But you’re missing the point. The point is that our football team is playing your football team.”
“You’re right. I am missing that amazing point. I’m excited. You have to come. You can stay with me, make a weekend out of it.”
“I think I will. Now put your game face on until you get home. Don’t let that hairless cat see you upset.”
“Thanks.” I hang up and exit the bathroom.
Trevor is waiting in the hall, a concerned look on his face. “You okay?”
I’m surprised by how happy I feel that he’s standing there. “I’m fine. Just got a little nauseous.”
He lowers his brows. “Hmm.”
“What?”
“I don’t know if you can stomach zombie-hunting after all.”
It’s your friend I can’t stomach, almost slips out of my mouth. I’m able to stop the thought before it becomes words. “I think I can handle it.” I grab his arm and pull him back toward the theater.
CHAPTER 13
PAR-A-dise: n. a place of extreme happiness Friday night around eight o’clock, my bedroom door slides open and my mom walks in. I look up from the book I’m reading, then back down without saying a word. She sits on the end of my bed.
“I think I overreacted,” she says.
You think? “What do you mean?”
“About your hair. I’m sorry.”
I shrug one shoulder. I want to apologize for what I said too, about my dad leaving because of her control issues, but I can’t bring myself to do it. Mostly because I still believe it’s true. I just want everything to be the way it was a month ago. The happy front may have been a charade for my parents, but it was real to me.
“Do you want to go to a movie with me tonight? There’s one that starts at eight forty-five.”