“That would rock. We’ll get done a lot faster with more bodies.”
“Anything for my college app,” she mutters, like she’s embarrassed to be seen caring.
I write down the place and time in a grid I draw in my notebook, then fold the paper until it tears neatly into multiple squares. When I glance up, Shane is watching me with a riveted expression, a carrot stick hovering halfway to his mouth. I want to say, What? But that will ruin the moment because he’s not going to tell me what he’s thinking with everyone else sitting here.
Friend. He needs a friend. Well, I’m doing my best to surround him with people.
I summarize the plan and add, “If you can’t get a hold of biodegradable trash bags, that’s all right. I have extras.”
“Of course you do,” Lila says, grinning. “I bet you were adorable riding in with all the boxes balanced on your bike.”
I glare at her. “Hey, that was not easy.”
“I’m not mocking you, Princess. I like your determination. It’s … odd.” That shouldn’t sound complimentary, but somehow, between her warm eyes and her sincere smile, it does.
The remainder of lunch is spent on logistics with the sophomores texting their parents to explain they’ve gotten involved in a community cleanup project and will need rides later. Shane doesn’t say much, nor does he volunteer to help. I’m a little sad about that. But he does walk me to my locker.
“Why did she call you ‘princess’?”
Awesome. Sighing, I mumble an explanation about the nickname and conclude, “So yeah, the Post-its. I should probably stop with that.”
People whose names I don’t remember wave to me as I go down the hall. This is strange. I mean, the ones I’ve tried to cheer up have always acted quietly pleased, but they never go out of their way when they see me. What’s changed?
Before I can puzzle on that too long, Shane says, “I hope you don’t.”
Huh. Ryan always found it silly and slightly embarrassing. I mean, not enough to complain about it, but he also never got the point; he told me once it was a huge waste of time and paper. Obviously I disagree.
“Unlikely,” I say, smiling as I parrot his word back to him.
“Cute. Uh. I’d like to come tonight if you could use another pair of hands.”
“Wear gloves,” I say, touching his fingers. “These are guitar-playing gold.”
His smile melts me. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“But I thought you weren’t interested in coming to another meeting?”
“That was before I realized how relentless you are.”
My cheeks flush, burning with heat. I can’t meet his gaze, so I stare at his battered army boots instead; yeah, these are totally tan. “I told you I was sorry about that.”
“Hey.” He tips my face up with warm fingers, and for a crazy moment, I think he might kiss me. “I was kidding. I mean, you are hyper-focused, but not in a bad way. I probably need someone who won’t let me hide.” Shane runs his other hand through his tousled curls. “God, somehow you got my life story out of me in one afternoon. I never … I don’t talk to people like that. I just don’t.”
I didn’t even realize it was rare; that’s how right it felt. But maybe he needed to open up … and I was there. Could’ve been timing more than anything to do with me. Still, the glow of satisfaction starts in my toes and radiates all the way up to my neck. I’ve never felt this way before, not this exact combination of giddiness and abject terror.
Shane drops me at my classroom, then takes off for his. Down the hall, I see Dylan and crew lying in wait, but Shane’s smart this time. He spots Mr. Johannes walking ahead and falls into step with him. I can’t hear what they’re talking about, but he’ll get to class without being harassed.
Chemistry is boring but bearable, and luckily, Ryan is all business this time, though at the end of the period, he asks, “Are you coming to the cleanup?”