Page 136 of Ruled Out

She swallows thickly. “Listen, I know I don’t often say serious things, but I want you to know that I’m so glad we met this year. I’ve got friends I made before I was out of diapers, but somehow, I feel closer to you. I guess how much time you’ve known someone doesn’t always count for much. It’s how they make you feel.”

I watch as Leo and Hugh collect their marked assignments from the front. Scanning the paper, Leo throws his head back and squeezes his eyes shut. I’d say that is not the look of a happy student.

Shame.

As Tara goes to get up, I take her by the hand and pull her back into the seat next to me. Keeping ahold of her hand, I wait for a couple of students to clear from behind us.

“A lot of really good people have either come back into my life this year, or I’ve met them for the first time. You are absolutely one of those people. You are loyal to a fault, and I’m so sorry I questioned you that day.”

She smiles and squeezes my hand tighter. “I always got you.”

We get up from behind our desks, and I draw in a deep breath as I stare down at the last two papers on the table.

When we take the stairs down to the front, Tara stops in her tracks. “If this grade is terrible, then there’s only a month left of the year and one more grading. There’s no way I can pin all my hopes to pass on that.”

I collect both the papers, Tara’s result sits on top, a huge blackBscrawled across the front.

On a smile, I hand it to her, still not brave enough to look at my own.

When she registers what she scored, she lets out a high-pitched squeak and clutches it to her chest. “This is absolutely thanks to your late-night library sessions!”

Gritting my teeth, I fold my paper in half and go to put it in my bag, but at the last second, Tara snatches it from me.

“Don’t you dare! I want to share in your victory.”

“Ugh, it’s going to be bad, isn’t it?” My hands fly to cover my face as she slowly opens it up. “Actually, no, don’t tell me.”

“Hmm, you sure about that?” she asks.

“Yep. Absolutely positive.”

“Well, that’s a shame since you smashed the absolute shit out of it.”

When I pull my hands away from my eyes, the bigAgreets me with a note from the professor congratulating me on one of the most comprehensive accounts and understanding ofenvironmental factors and how the behaviors of others could have an effect on the mind, both short- and long-term, especially at a young age.

Tears well in my eyes as I stare at the grade and note.

“You okay, babe?” Tara asks.

“Yeah,” I say, thoughts of Jessie, my mom, and the impact they’ve both had on my life rushing forward.

“Okay,” Tara says, handing me the paper. “Well, I say that’s enough tears for today. I’m not working tonight, so how about we head to the bar to celebrate?”

I nod and take one last glance at my paper before putting it in my bag. “Yeah, sounds perfect.”

“Okay,well, mocktails are better than I initially gave them credit for,” Tara says as we push through the door and out into the early April night. “When you told me you were driving and couldn’t drink, I was kind of disappointed, but to be honest, I’m now grateful,” she explains as we walk toward my car, parked at the back of the lot. “I might even take the opportunity to study some more when I get home—you know, since my head isn’t fuzzy.”

I’m about to ask her who she is and what she’s done with my friend when a pair of lights flash at the end of the lot.

“Is that at us?” Tara asks, peering into the dark.

The lights flash again, and I get a better look at the red car. But it isn’t mine—or I should say Jessie’s—although it’s parked next to it.

Looking around, we’re completely alone when the lights flash several more times.

“Yep, it’s definitely at us,” Tara confirms.

My phone buzzes in my bag, and I root around inside, pulling it out and opening a message from Jessie.