Say Anything

by Madeleine Labitan

  Lincoln sputters. “But—”

  But Noah is already dragging him away. “Later, Ellison,” he calls out without glancing back.

  I stare after them, my mind reeling. Was Lincoln planning to ask me out before Noah interrupted him?

  ******

  Carrying my lunch tray, I make a beeline for Noah and Lincoln’s table. I’m hoping to get Lincoln to finish what he was going to say earlier. But a few meters away, I stop cold.

  The boys are not alone. Laura and her friends are with them. Of course. How could I forget that?

  I can’t very well sit there now.

  Shoulders slumping, I turn around and make my way to Bree and Morgan’s table.

  They glance up when they sense me approaching. Morgan smirks. “Look who’s back.”

  “Hey, guys.” I set my tray down and sit across from them.

  “Aren’t you supposed to be sitting with your new friends?” Morgan is still smirking.

  I punch on my chocolate milk and take a sip. “Not today. Laura’s there with them.”

  Bree lifts an eyebrow. “So?”

  “I can’t deal with her right now. Not after she confronted me at her party.”

  “She did what now?” Morgan’s brows are pulled together. She’s probably wondering where she was during that time.

  “She caught me in one of the bathrooms there.”

  Bree worries her bottom lip. “You didn’t tell me that this morning. You just told me you spent time with Lincoln and that he drove you home.”

  “Wait. Lincoln drove you home?” Morgan’s eyes widen behind her glasses. “How come you told Bree and not me?”

  I roll my eyes. “Probably because you were busy sucking face with Brad Kingston?”

  That makes her blush.

  “What the hell?” Bree gapes at us. “What else are you two not telling me?”

  “Nothing.” I shrug. “I just forgot to mention the Laura thing.”

  Bree scowls. “I can’t believe you’ve been keeping secrets from me.”

  Morgan scoffs at her. “You’re being dramatic.” She looks down on her tray. “It’s not like that at all. I wasn’t even planning to keep it a secret. I just wanted to make sure before telling you guys. That it wasn’t just going to be another fling, you know? That, this time, we’re not just hooking up.”

  I nod in understanding. “Did you figure it out?”

  “Yeah.” A smile breaks across her face. “We’re officially dating.”

  I smile at her. “Morg, I’m happy for you.”

  “Well, I’m not,” Bree snaps. She demands, “When did you know it was serious?”

  Morgan gives a narrow-eyed glare. “Just yesterday. I was already planning to tell you today.”

  Bree makes another scoffing sound but doesn’t comment.

  Morgan ignores her—she knows Bree will get over it later—and turns to me. “So it’s getting good between you and Lincoln, huh?”

  “Like I told Bree, he just drove me home from the party. That was it.”

  “Then he insisted on walking you to class this morning,” Bree interjects.

  “You were there with us, weren’t you?”

  “Oh, please. We both know he did it for you. I just happened to be there.”

  “And he still hasn’t asked you out?” Morgan asks me.

  “No.” But I think he was going to.

  I can’t tell them that, though. I don’t want to make stupid assumptions in front of my best friends. What if I’m proven wrong in the end? That would be embarrassing. So I’d rather not make bold pronouncements just yet.

  “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see,” she says. “Now, back to Laura.” I was hoping they already forgot about that. “Why did she confront you?”

  “Because of Noah.”

  Her brows shoot up. “She still thinks you’re a threat? I thought they’re back together. I saw them hanging out at the party.”

  “I know. It’s crazy. Why would she even see me as a threat? Like there’s even a competition.”

  “The fact that she confronted you means there is,” Bree says. “You know how possessive she is of him.”

  That’s true. Last year, there was a girl who dared to flirt with Noah a few times. Laura and her friends bullied her into dropping out of school. It was brutal.

  “Oh my God,” I gasp. “She’s going to do to me what she did to Annie Brooks.”

  “Maybe she won’t,” Bree tries to assure me. “You don’t even like Noah. You’re not pursuing him or anything.”

  “Well, you can’t be too sure,” Morgan argues. “Laura is bitch enough to do it. I mean she already confronted you about it, didn’t she? So it’s not far from the realm of possibility.”

  Bree glares at her. “Seriously?”

  “Great. Now, I’m scared. Gee, Morgan, thanks,” I say dryly.

  She shrugs. “Just calling it like I see it.”

  Morgan is right though. I wouldn’t put it past Laura to do such a thing. Which means I should always put my guard up whenever she’s around. One can only know what she’ll dish out next.

  ******

  Mom is still in the shop when I get home. She already called ahead that she’d stay there a little late. So I prepare myself an early dinner—grilled sandwich, an apple and a glass of lemonade—and bring it upstairs to my room.

  Changing into my comfy PJ’s, I eat my dinner at my study table. Afterwards, I whip out my homework assignments, remembering that I have an essay to write for History class. And although we’re given a week to finish it, I decide now’s a good time as any to get started. I have nothing better to do, anyway.

  I just fired up my laptop and start to put away the books and things I don't need at my table when something catches my eye.

  My pink journal—hidden under all the books and the clutter.

  I blink at it, trying to recall the last time I laid hands on it. Have I written anything on it since I got it back from Noah?

  I don’t think so.

  Weird. I’m always writing something on my journal. Rarely a day goes by that I don’t. But now it seems like I’ve forgotten about its existence.

  Maybe because things are starting to look up between me and Lincoln. The fantasy is slowly becoming a reality. He’s no longer the unattainable crush that I used to daydream about. And because of his new attainable status, I don’t feel the need to daydream and write silly doodles anymore.

  Yeah, that must be it.

  So instead of picking it up, I just let it be. I’ll probably make it useful again in a few days, anyway.

  The sound of a car pulling up outside drifts through the open window and I walk over to see if it’s my mom.

  But it’s a red convertible—Laura’s.

  For a heart-stopping moment, I wonder if she’s here to confront me again. But then I see Noah getting off his porch and walking toward her.

  The front passenger window slides down and he says something to Laura before pulling the door and getting inside. Then the car drives off.

  They’re probably going on a date. Why did Noah even take her back, anyway? I personally think he could do a lot better. He could have dated someone with a more pleasant personality instead of settling with a girl who gives every stereotypical mean girl a run for her money. There are so many pretty girls in school to choose from. No shortage of those.

  So why her?

  But pfft—what do I care? It’s his life. I shouldn’t worry about his relationship choices. Whoever he chooses to date is none of my business.

  What I need to do is focus all my energy on Lincoln. No one else.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Come on, Riley. Can you go any slower?”

  Panting, I can only glare at Morgan’s back.

  Why are we even running? Coach Andrews said we could brisk walk around the track field. We didn’t have to strain ourselves.

  But somehow Morgan managed to convince me to run with her. Two laps later and I’ve fallen behind
, almost out of breath like I ran a marathon.

  She, on the other hand, doesn’t even look a little winded.

  This is what I get for trying to keep up with someone who runs every day.

  Screw it. I slow down to a stop, putting my hands on my knees to catch my breath. Morgan can run up to a hundred laps by herself. I’m already tired.

  “Yeah, I know. I’m so out of shape. Blah, blah, blah. See if I care,” I huff as a pair of running shoes appears in my line of sight.

  But then another pair joins the first one, and that’s when I know my bestie didn’t come back for me. Straightening up, my suspicion is confirmed when I come face to face with Lindsay and Tabitha.

  Ugh. What do these girls want now?

  “I see it now,” Tabitha sneers. “The messy look is really your everyday style.”

  Fighting the urge to smooth my ponytail and tuck the errant locks behind my ears, I fold my arms defensively. “You know this is gym class, right? We’re supposed to look messy.”

  But it doesn’t escape my notice that her and Lindsay’s hair are still perfectly in place. Even their white shirts and black shorts look sleek and unwrinkled.

  While mine are already rumpled and sweaty.

  I hate them.

  As if to know the direction of my thoughts, Lindsay flickers her gaze over me and wrinkles her nose. “No. It’s just you.”

  I get it. You’re goddesses. I’m a mere mortal.

  I shrug. “Well, we all know this is a track field and not a runway.”

  In case they have no idea we’re supposed to work up a sweat here and not strut around like supermodels.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Lindsay narrows her eyes at me.

  “Nothing,” I chirp, smiling sweetly.

  “I thought you were right behind me.”

  I look behind the girls to see Morgan approaching our way. She already finished a lap. Figures.

  “Sorry. I couldn’t keep up anymore.” I don’t bother to sound apologetic.

  She just rolls her eyes, then focuses her attention on Lindsay and Tabitha. Her expression sours. “Riley, are these bitches messing with you?”

  I gape.

  The two girls let out a gasp.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Who are you calling bitches?”

  “Obviously, the two of you.”

  I choke out a laugh, shocked at my bestie’s gall to antagonize them. But then this is Morgan we’re talking about. She’s never been intimidated by the popular cliques. She loves to gossip about them as much as the next student, but she couldn’t care less about social rules. If provoked, she wouldn’t hesitate to give them the middle finger.

  Or in this case, call them the B-word.

  Seeing the familiar murderous look on Tabitha’s face, I quickly steer Morgan away. “Let’s go back to the locker room.” Then I call out over my shoulder. “It’s been nice talking to you two.”

  “You call that nice? Really?” Morgan scoffs.

  “That was me diffusing the situation.” I shake my head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you called them bitches.”

  She smiles wickedly. “I know. It was pretty savage, right?”

  “I thought they were going to kill us.”

  “Were you actually afraid?”

  “Afraid that they’d jump on us and start pulling our hair? Yes. I don’t know about you, but I’m not very confident about my fighting skills.”

  I don’t think we would have won had those girls decided to take us on. They are taller than us—probably even stronger, too. And like I said, I suck at fighting.

  Well, I guess. I haven’t checked. I’m not exactly a violent person.

  “Please. As if they would deliberately do something that could mess up their hair. They’re not just bitches. They’re basic bitches.”

  I laugh. “You got to stop saying that.”

  She just smirks.

  “I just didn’t want to provoke Tabitha again, you know? I think she’s still mad at me for what I said last Sunday.”

  Morgan stops on her tracks and grabs my arm, causing me to do the same. “I need to know everything. Explain.”

  I wince. “I kinda told her that Bree is prettier than her. Although, in my defense, I was just thinking it. I didn’t mean to voice it out loud.”

  She bursts out laughing. “Seriously? I bet the expression on her face had been priceless.”

  My lips twitch. “It was. Noah and his friends didn’t help either. They were laughing like crazy.”

  “They witnessed the whole thing? Ugh. I wish I was there. It would’ve made my day. Hell, probably my whole damn week.” Morgan even looks bummed. Then wags her brows at me. “So, tell me, how did it feel?”

  A big grin splits my face. “Honestly? It felt freaking awesome.”

  We laugh all the way back to the girls’ locker room.

  ******

  Thankfully, Lindsay and Tabitha didn’t bother seeking us out the rest of the day. I’ve been secretly looking over my shoulder, anxiously wondering if they would retaliate.

  Especially Tabitha. She already had a bone to pick with me. I’m pretty sure Morgan calling her a bitch didn’t help my case.

  I really thought a catfight would erupt right there and then in the track field.

  So I can only let out a sigh of relief when I step out of the school building scot-free. Still, I glance warily around me as I make my way to the parking lot to get my bike.

  Bree has started rehearsals for her play so I can’t rely on her to give me a ride home in the next few weeks. Morgan, on the other hand, has been riding with Brad to and from the school. She said her car is currently out of commission, but I doubt it’s true. They’ve just become inseparable.

  So I’m left with riding my bike this week. I don’t mind though. I like biking home.

  Although I’m still missing my best friends. We still haven’t hung out. I hope we can rectify it this weekend. A sleepover should be in order.

  I’m almost near my bike when someone calls my name. I spin around to see Lincoln jogging toward me.

  “Hey,” I say, a little confused.

  He stops in front of me. “You heading home?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  He smiles. “Thought so. Can I give you a ride?”

  Lincoln is offering to give me a ride home. If this happened two weeks ago, I would have probably fainted and humiliated myself.

  Now I’m just a little surprised, to be honest. I guess I’ve really managed to get a handle of my emotions and maintain my cool in front of him.

  I glance over at my bike. I don’t think it can fit inside his car. I’d probably have to leave it here if I go with him. But then what will be my ride to school tomorrow?

  “Well, actually—”

  “Ellison, ready to go home?” An arm slings over my shoulders, interrupting me. I recognize Noah’s familiar cool scent before I even hear his voice. “Oh hey, Linc. I didn’t see you there.”

  Really? Was Lincoln invisible to his eyes until now?

  Judging from the frown on Lincoln’s face, he has the same conclusion. “Maybe you need glasses, man.”

  “Nah.”

  Lincoln stares at my shoulders, making me realize Noah’s arm is still draped over them.

  I cast Noah a sideways glance but he remains oblivious. In fact, his gaze stays fixed on his best friend.

  And Lincoln is doing the same to him.

  Why does it suddenly feel like I’m in the middle of a stand-off?

  Hushed whispers reach my ears, telling me we’re already starting to attract attention. And glancing around the parking lot pretty much confirms it.

  “Um, guys—”

  “Actually,” Lincoln says, “I was just offering Riley a ride home before you came over.”

  “Really? I didn’t hear anything.”

  My eyes whip to Noah. What the heck is he doing?

  A muscle in Lincoln’s jaw tics. “Then I guess you need a hearing a
id, too.”

  “Maybe. Because I didn’t hear her say yes, either.”

  Oh, God. I close my eyes. Please don’t tell me I have to break up a brewing fight for the second time today.

  Why are they even gearing for a fight, anyway? For what—just to drive me home? Boys are crazy.

  “Well, I asked her first,” Lincoln insists.

  “Like I said, she hasn’t said yes yet.” Noah flicks his eyes to me. “You’re coming with me, right?”

  Nope. Not playing this game.

  I remove his arm from my shoulders. “Actually, I brought my bike with me. So neither of you have to take me home.”

  “You can put it in my—” Noah starts.

  “It won’t fit,” I cut him off. “Okay, see you later.” I spin around before either of them can stop me.

  Walking away from them to retrieve my bike, I shake my head in bewilderment. What was that all about? Seriously?

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Noah is waiting for me when I step outside my house. Just like that day when he picked me up, he’s leaning against his Jeep with a lopsided grin.

  How did he know the exact moment I’d leave for school? Has he been stalking me or something?

  With narrowed eyes, I approach him. “Is this going to be a regular thing?”

  He shrugs. “If that’s what you want.”

  “If that’s what I want?” My brows shoot up. “Are you volunteering to be my personal chauffeur, Pritchett?”

  Noah rolls his eyes. “Why do you ask so many questions all the time? Can you just get in?”

  Looks like he’s in a mood today. Why would he even come over and offer a ride to school if he was just going to be snippy with me? It’s not like I asked for it. He did it himself.

  It doesn’t help that I’m still a little annoyed at his little showdown with Lincoln at the school parking lot. What was up with that? I haven’t grilled him about it yet.

  Maybe this is a good opportunity…

  Shooting him a scowl, I hop into his Jeep, ignoring his low murmur of “finally.”

  How long has he been waiting for me in the drive, anyway? Not my fault that he didn’t use the buzzer.

  “What’s going on with you and Lincoln?” I ask as Noah pulls onto the street.