Page 62 of Fade into You

“Wh-what do you mean?”

“Well, Dade’s always having to step in and rescue her from people trying to mess with her. You know, ’cause of the wholegaything,” she says, whispering the word.

“Seriously?” I ask, unable to swallow my mouthful of sandwich because of the sick feeling that thought leaves in my stomach. “It was something like that, I guess,” I lie, because I told Jessa I wouldn’t say anything about her sister. “So that happens a lot?”

She nods. “Oh yeah.”

“That’s terrible.”

“Gosh, do you really like her? She’s so weird.”

“She’s not that weird, Kayla. And yeah, I do like her.”

“Well, don’t get defensive about it.”

“I’m not.”

“Don’t get mad at me for saying this, but just be careful.”

“Why?”

“I saw you guys at the skating rink. Holding hands and stuff—I know you were just helping her, but that’s how rumors start, and you don’t want her to get the wrong idea. I just want you to be careful.”

“Youwantmeto be careful?” I can’t help laughing.

“Yeah, why’s that funny?”

“Because, Kayla. You’re the one who—who’s…”

“Who’s what? God, just spit it out already.”

“Who’s shitting on all your old friends and almost having sex in cars and drinking and staying out all night and changing your entire personality over a guy, and…”

“And what?” she snaps, seeming amused. “Don’t hold back now.”

“And starving yourself to death—which I’m supposed to act like I don’t notice because every time I bring it up you get mad at me—and you have the nerve to tellmeto be careful?”

“I can’t believe you’re mad atmeright now whenyou’rethe one who left me all alone last night. And then you call my house this morning and get me in trouble. I should be so mad at you right now! And you’re bitching at me, instead?”

“Hey, you left me first,” I argue. No holding back. “Tell me, at what point last night did you even notice I was gone?”

She shakes her head and crosses her arms, her smile angry and tight.

“Yeah, that’s what I thought. At least I cared enough to check on you—you had no idea what happened to me last night either, and I bet you didn’t even give it a second thought.”

“Nice. Real nice, Bird.” And she’s stopped angry-smiling. Now she’s just angry, and for a moment it feels good, because at least I know she still cares enough to actually get mad at me. “Good to know you think so highly of me.”

“Yeah, well, you haven’t been giving me a lot of reasons to lately.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Where do I even start? Okay. How’s this: Why would you tell Dade about Silas?”

“I didn’t—”

“You told him I got dumped and he thinks that’s why I don’t like him.”

“That doesn’t even make sense.”