“I’m going to go with her,” Ian says, following.
Brooks sits down beside me, and I’m aware that everybody is now looking at us, instead of watching the soccer game.
“You look good,” Brooks says to me.
I look down at my green hoodie that says East Raven Academy. It has a raven and the school logo on it. And I’m wearing my school uniform under it. Just a simple black skirt and my Converse.
“What do you want, Brooks?” I ask.
“You won’t answer my texts,” he says. “Or my phone calls.”
“Maybe you should take the hint,” Estaine says. “She doesn’t want to talk to you.”
Brooks looks at Estaine and my intertwined hands.
“Is this a real thing now?” Brooks asks.
“Yes,” I answer.
Brooks smiles, but I can tell it’s forced. “Congratulations.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“I came to apologize. Again,” Brooks says. “Because you haven’t responded to the hundreds of apologies I’ve texted you. I’m sorry, Phoenix. I know I shouldn’t have kissed you. I regret it.”
“I forgive you,” I say. “But don’t ever do it again.”
“If you do, she won’t be the only one hitting you,” Estaine says.
“I won’t,” Brooks says, ignoring Estaine. “I just... want us to be friends still. Just because you’re dating him doesn’t mean we can’t still talk and hang out.”
“It wouldn’t look good,” I say. “If we hung out. Because you kissed me when everybody thought I was dating Estaine. And now I’m for real dating him. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“Come on, Phoenix,” he says. “I’m just asking to be your friend. That’s it.”
I look from Brooks to Estaine.
Estaine doesn’t look happy.
“It’s up to you,” Estaine says.
“I won’t hang out with you unless Estaine is there, too,” I tell Brooks.
This causes Brooks to smile. “Why? Scared you might be the one to kiss me?”
I roll my eyes. “And no comments like that or the deal is off.”
“Fine,” Brooks says. “I’ll take what I can get.”
“Friendship is all you’re getting,” I say.
“Okay,” he says, but he’s still smiling big.
I have a feeling I’m going to regret that.
12pm.
Video.
We won our game against West Raven. Now, practically the whole school is down at the docks, celebrating. Estaine and I are just walking along, when we go past someone who looks like Emma.
And she’s kissing somebody.
Somebody who is clearly not Bryce.
I stop to look, and see that she’s kissing Ian.
My mouth falls open.
Estaine laughs and pulls me forward, away from them.
“I guess that means Emma and Bryce are over,” I say.
“We’ll see,” Estaine says. “Emma’s never shown interest in another guy before.”
Teagan, who is holding hands with Jason, walks up to us.
“Did I just see Emma and... Ian?” Teagan asks.
“Yep,” Estaine answers.
“Huh,” she says, then smiles. “I like it.”
“Bryce is going to blow a gasket when he sees,” Jason says.
“Like he has a right,” I say. “He was kissing some girl earlier, and Emma caught them.”
“Well, good for Emma,” Jason says.
Teagan looks furious, but then she grins. “What is this I heard about Brooks Remington showing up at the soccer game?”
“Brooks came to... talk,” I answer.
“About what?”
“Being friends. With me,” I say.
“And what did you tell him?” Teagan asks.
“That we can be friends as long as he doesn’t try to kiss me again,” I say. “And that we can’t hang out unless Estaine is there, too.”
“Ah,” she says, then looks at Estaine. “And you’re okay with that?”
Estaine nods. “I’m not going to tell Phoenix who she can and can’t be friends with.”
Teagan smiles. “Uh huh.”
I decide to change the subject away from me and definitely away from Brooks.
“You played so good tonight,” I say.
“Thanks,” Teagan says, her face completely lit up. I can tell she’s proud of herself. “We worked hard. And beating West Raven is always a bonus.”
Teagan goes on to talk about all the awesome moments in the game. While she’s talking, my phone goes off. I have no idea who would be texting me this late, since all my friends are literally here. I pull out my phone to make sure everything is all right. I see that Uncle Matty is calling me. I hold up a finger to Teagan as I answer.
“Hello.”
“Where are you?” Uncle Matty asks, his voice in a panic.
“I’m at the docks with my friends,” I answer. “We’re celebrating the...”
He cuts me off. “I am on my way there.”
The phone line cuts off, and I look at Estaine.
“I... uh...” I look at Teagan and Jason. “I’m sorry. Estaine and I have to go.”
I don’t give them time to respond. I just grab Estaine’s hand and we walk away from our friends, towards the edge of the woods.
“Uncle Matty says he’s on his way here,” I tell Estaine, once we get to the edge. “I guess we should wait here, but I’m scared.”