“Really? I don’t remember,” he replied.
Of course he didn’t remember. He was high as a kite. I was high, too, but I remember saying over and over to myself as his lips sucked my neck, Remember this moment, Cadence. Don’t ever forget it. It’s a special, magical moment.
I burst out laughing.
Dean looked up sharply. “What?”
“Nothing,” I mumbled, shaking my head.
“No, tell me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I was just thinking about how I thought it was so magical kissing you when I was high.”
“And now that you’re sober?”
I smirked. “What do you think?”
Dean cocked his head. “Fair enough. I don’t even remember it.”
“Fair enough,” I replied. “I wish I could forget it.”
“Fair enough. Are we done here?”
“Yes,” I snapped, and started making my way through the crowded hallway.
“Cadence, wait!” I heard from behind. I felt a hand go around my arm once more, forcing me to stop.
“What Dean?”
“You never accepted my apology,” he said. “You need to accept it. I’ve gotta mark this off my list.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really. Will you just say you forgive me?”
“Just a second ago you told me you weren’t apologizing to me because of the list. And now you need to mark it off?”
“Look, I’m an asshole, okay? What do you want from me? I don’t remember making out with you. I’m sure it was great. Can you just get over yourself and say you forgive me?”
“You said my breasts were small!” Thank God the hallway was crowded and impossibly loud. I’ve no idea why that came out of my mouth.
Dean shook his head and looked at my chest. “I like big tits, okay? I’m sorry. What does that have to do with the drugs and the robbery?”
“Nothing,” I barked. “And quit looking at me.”
“Fine, Cadence,” Dean said. “Look, I’m trying to make things right. But if you wanna be immature about it . . .”
“Me immature? Are you freaking kidding me?”
“The bell’s gonna ring, Cadence. And I have to get to class. Some of us are trying to care about school and to be better people.”
I laughed. “You really are an asshole.”
“I know. Now am I gonna have to ask you every day from now until we graduate, or will you just give me a break?”
I shook my head. “Fine. I forgive you, but I hope you know it’s only so that you can mark it off your stupid list.”
“Good enough for me.”
“And I don’t want you talking to me between classes.”
“Had no plans to.”
“And I want to forget you even exist.”
“Same goes for you.”
We shook hands and went our separate ways.
***
“Pack your bag, sista, ‘cause you’re spending the night with me Friday,” Avery said, taking the seat beside mine at lunch.
“I am?”
“Uh huh. I called your mom last night. Told her about my latest community service project. She offered you to help.”
“Gee, that was nice of her,” I replied.
“It was nice of her. It means you get out of the house all weekend.”
“Where to?” I asked.
“There are a few houses on the east side of town we’re gonna clean up. Minor house repairs. Lawn stuff. Some light cleaning.” She leaned in and whispered apologetically, “It’s for poor people.”
I rolled my eyes. “I gathered as much.”
“Pack your work clothes.”
I nodded. “Who all is helping out?”
“Well, Gracie will be there.”
My heart clenched.
“And Amber, Alex, Seth, Robin, Toby. And Dean.”
I groaned.
“I thought you two came to an understanding,” Avery said.
“Doesn’t mean I wanna see him on the weekends.”
“Well, suck it up,” Avery said. “And there’ll be some adult volunteers, too.”
“Who?”
“Um, Mr. and Mrs. Sunders. Abbey’s parents. Mr. Connelly . . .”
My heart clenched again. Why would Mr. Connelly help out on a youth group project? I don’t even think he was a member of the church. Did he volunteer because he knew I was back in youth group?
I laughed.
“What?” Avery asked.
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “I’m just a self-absorbed idiot.”
“Yeah? You and every other jackass in this cafeteria,” she replied.
I scowled at her, and she grinned.
“We’re gonna have fun, Cadence,” she said. “And you get to be away from your house for an entire weekend. You’re even coming to church with me Sunday.”
I smiled. I liked the idea of being away from home. And I especially liked the idea of seeing Mr. Connelly over the weekend. I only ever saw him in casual clothes once. I wanted to see him dressed like that again.
“Am I going home with you after school Friday?” I asked.
“Are you driving yet?”
“Only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”
“Then I guess I’ve gotta take your sorry ass home with me.”
***
Avery’s bedroom was really cool. I was slightly jealous when I walked in. Her ceiling was covered from corner to corner with paper lamps. They hung at different heights, some so low that I could reach up and touch them if I stood on my tiptoes. Her room glowed with soft shades of yellow, orange, and pink. Fiery colors, I thought. Colors that matched Avery’s personality.
“Where’d you get all of these?” I asked.
“I collect them,” she replied. “Actually, Mom started the collection when I was a baby, and then I took over when I got older.”
“They’re beautiful,” I said.
“Thanks. Makes it bearable to be at home,” she said.
“You make it sound like your parents are controlling monsters,” I said.
Avery dumped her purse and book bag in a corner chair. “They’re not. My parents are cool, but their rules are just so freaking ridiculous. I mean, I’m a student leader in youth group, know what I’m saying? When are they gonna ease up a bit? I’ve never given them any reason not to trust me.”
“But you lie to them all the time,” I pointed out.
“So what? They don’t know that,” Avery said. “They know church girl Avery, good girl Avery, good manners Avery, good student Avery—”
“I get it.”
“It’s really their fault I’ve gotta sneak around like this.”
“Is it?” I asked.
“Yes,” Avery replied, ignoring my sarcasm. “It’s like that thing about kids.”