I walk straight for them. Abe sees me and slows like he’s preparing for something.
Me, clearly.
He nudges Marion and I hate that she looks at him first. He steps to the side and hooks a hand in the elastic of his gym shorts, nodding in my direction. Her face goes pale and I stop walking.
She can come to me.
“Hi,” she says, stopping a few feet away with Abe behind her. Her neck red with whatever this is.
“Hi,” I say back. But all I can think about is how well she lied to her father and that everything out of her mouth is going to be bullshit.
“We, um . . .” Her lip trembles and that’s all she says. I taste blood and salt water in my mouth, and I shake my head with how uncool I am right now.
I spit in the grass and she flinches.
“Look, Medford—” Abe starts.
“Don’t speak.” I point a finger at him and he shuts up.
“Abe,” Marion says cautiously. “Go to class.”
He checks me to make sure that’s okay, and I stare him down. Ready to pound the shit out of him.
“Abe,” she says again. “Just go.”
It’s her voice that gives him permission, and he speeds away toward the building.
I can’t look at her. Everything in me is fists and knots and I’m so pissed I know I should leave. I can’t be here. I need to clear my head. Run.
I turn my head and go.