Last week, after my awful hallway reunion with Rune, I’d needed to get away from it all. I’d needed to forget the look in his eyes as he glared at me with such hatred. Music was normally my remedy, so I threw myself into intense practice. The only problem? Each time I finished a piece, as soon as the final note faded and I lowered my bow, that devastation cut back through me tenfold. And it stayed. Today, after I finished playing at lunch, the anguish haunted me for the rest of the afternoon. It weighed heavily on my mind as I exited the school building.
The courtyard was bustling with students making their way home. I kept my head down and pushed through the crowd, only to turn the corner and see Rune and his friends sitting on the field in the park. Jorie and Ruby were there too. And so was Avery.
I tried not to stare as Avery sat beside Rune, who was lighting up a cigarette. I tried not to stare as Rune began to smoke, his elbow resting casually on his knee as he leaned back against a tree. And I tried to ignore the flip of my stomach as I hurried by, Rune’s narrowed eyes briefly meeting mine.
I quickly averted my eyes. Jorie jumped to her feet and came running after me. I managed to get far enough from Rune and his friends that they wouldn’t hear what Jorie had to say to me.
“Poppy,” she called as she stopped behind me. I turned to face her, feeling Rune’s watchful gaze settle on me. I ignored it.
“How are you doing?” she asked.
“Fine,” I replied. Even I heard the slight tremble in my voice.
Jorie sighed. “Have you spoken to him yet? He’s been back over a week.”
My cheeks blazed. I shook my head. “No. I’m not real sure that’s a good idea.” I drew in a breath and confided, “I have no idea what I would say anyhow. He doesn’t seem to be the boy I knew and loved for all those years. He seems different. Looks like he’s changed.”
Jorie’s eyes flared. “I know. But I think you’re the only girl that sees that as a bad thing, Pops.”
“What do you mean?” Jealousy sparked in my chest.
Jorie pointed to the girls gathering around where he sat, aiming to appear casual, but failing epically in their endeavor. “He’s all anyone is talking about, and I’m pretty sure any girl in this school—except you, me and Ruby—would sell their soul to the devil for him to even acknowledge them. He was always wanted, Pops, but well, he had you and we all knew he wouldn’t leave you for anything or anyone. But now…” She trailed off, and I could feel my heart deflating.
“But now he doesn’t have me,” I finished for her. “Now he’s free to be with whomever he wants.”
Jorie’s eyes widened when she realized she had once again put her foot in her mouth. She squeezed my arm in support, wincing apologetically. I couldn’t be mad at her though, she was always speaking before she’d thought it through. Besides, everything she said was true.
A moment of awkward silence passed, until she asked, “What are you up to tomorrow night?”
“Nothing,” I replied. I was itching to leave.
Jorie’s face lit up. “Good! You can come to Deacon’s house party. Can’t have you sitting in alone another Saturday night.”
I laughed.
Jorie frowned.
“Jorie, I don’t go to parties. No one would invite me anyway.”
“I’m inviting you. You’ll be my date.”
My humor dropped. “I can’t, Jor.” I paused. “I can’t be there when Rune is. Not after everything.”
Jorie leaned in closer. “He won’t be there,” she said quietly. “He’s told Deacon he isn’t going, that he’s going somewhere else.”
“Where?” I asked, failing to disguise my curiosity.
She shrugged. “Hell if I know. Rune doesn’t really talk much. I think it only adds to why he’s attracting groupies like there’s no tomorrow.” Jorie stuck out her bottom lip and prodded my arm. “Please, Pops. You’ve been gone so long, and I’ve missed you. I want to spend as much time with you as I can, but you keep hiding yourself away. We have years to make up for. Ruby will be there too. You know I’d never leave you alone.”
My eyes inspected the ground, trying hard to think up an excuse. I looked up at Jorie and I could see that my refusal was upsetting her.
Chasing away the pangs of doubt in my chest, I relented. “Okay, I’ll come with you.”
Jorie’s face split into a huge smile. “Perfect!” she said. I laughed as she brought me in for a quick hug.
“I need to get home,” I said as she released me. “I’ve got a recital tonight.”
“Okay, I’ll come get you at seven tomorrow night. Good?”
I waved my hand and began walking home. I had only made it a few hundred yards before I felt someone walking behind me through the blossom grove. When I looked over my shoulder, there was Rune.
My heart kicked into sprint mode as my gaze caught his. He didn’t look away from me, but I did from him. I was terrified he would try to talk to me. What if he wanted me to explain everything? Or worse, what if he wanted to tell me that what we had was nothing?
That would break me.
Quickening my pace, I kept my head down and rushed all the way home. I felt him trailing me the entire way, but he made no move to overtake.