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“No.” I shook my head. “That’s not it. I just thought you should know that you were right. Noah and I are over.”

Veronica looked too stunned by my revelation to make fun of me. And even Cress, who knew the truth, appeared surprised I’d just admitted it to Veronica.

“So, he’s all yours,” I said before I pushed past her and left the room.

I didn’t see the point in fighting over a guy when he wasn’t mine anymore. I knew Veronica would tell the whole school the news. I just hoped any extra attention I received would be short-lived. Once everyone knew the truth, I’m sure they’d soon grow tired of the rumors and gossip.

As much as it hurt, it felt like a small weight had lifted from my shoulders. Saying the words out loud, that Noah and I were over, felt like a step in the right direction. I just had to hope I didn’t stray from the path.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Word about my breakup with Noah got around quickly once Veronica found out. She hadn’t wasted any time informing the whole school, and by Thursday lunchtime, it was all anyone could talk about.

I found I was actually relieved by the gossip. All week, it had felt like I was waiting for a bomb to detonate, and now that it had, I just needed to lie low until the initial shockwave blew over. Once the dust began to settle, I could slowly begin to pick up the pieces.

I decided it was best to skip Noah’s soccer game on Thursday night. I wanted to keep my head down while everyone worked the news about Noah and I through their systems, and the last thing I felt like doing was watching Noah lead his team to glory while the whole school cheered him on.

Cress was bummed because missing the game meant I also missed her dance at halftime. I hated that I wasn’t there to support her, especially when she’d been there for me all week, so I promised to make it up to her. I probably should have considered the offer more carefully because, as soon as Friday night rolled around, she insisted I went with her to the boathouse party.

I knew it was a terrible idea, but there was no way I could let Cress down again. And so, as soon as it grew dark, I found myself trailing after her and Anna to the old boatshed by the lake. As I stepped through the wide-open wooden doors, I took a deep breath in. Tonight, I had a chance to show I really was putting Noah behind me.

Still, I couldn’t help doing a quick scan of the room for him as soon as I arrived. The place was packed with people, and I was all too relieved I didn’t see him. I wasn’t sure how he’d react to me being at the party. His friends had invited me, but I was almost certain they wouldn’t have run it by him first.

“Come on, let’s get drinks,” Anna said, grabbing me by the hand and tugging me toward the fridge at the back of the room.

I’d vowed after last weekend that I never wanted to drink again, but I found myself reaching for the beer Anna offered. I was way too tense, and perhaps the drink might help me get through the party.

Anna and Cress seemed to have the same idea because they were both knocking back their drinks too.

“I still can’t believe your dad bought you a new car and you’re not going to drive it,” Cress said.

“What do you mean you’re not going to drive it!” Anna practically shouted.

“Don’t listen to her,” Cress said. “Anna likes cars more than she likes most people.”

Anna ignored her. “You’re really not going to drive it?”

“I’m not a very confident driver,” I murmured.

“So, you’re going to let your poor car rot in the parking lot all year?” Anna made it sound like I was committing some kind of cardinal sin.

“I crashed trying to avoid a dog that ran in the road the day after I passed my test,” I said. “I’ve been too nervous to drive ever since.”

“Accidents happen.” Anna tried to reassure me. "I’m sure you’re a great driver when dogs aren’t running in front of the car. You just need to get your confidence back.”

“And how do I do that?”

“I’ll go with you. Like a driving lesson. I’m a great teacher.” Anna waved a hand and flicked back her hair like she had already solved the problem.

“Uh, I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“What’s the worst that can happen?”

“Well, we’d be driving, so a lot.”

“Our school is in the middle of nowhere, and the chances we’ll encounter a stray dog are minuscule,” Anna argued. “Come on, please. If it’s that bad, you can go back to ignoring your car for the rest of the year, and I won’t mention it again.”

I hesitated.