Page 45 of Heartland

“What is?”

“You, that’s what. Are you going to talk to her?”

“Of course I am. I’m going to apologize again. When you’re a dick to your friends, that’s what you do. Besides, I have a present for her.”

“Is it your dick?” Rickie asks with a snicker.

“No, asshole.”

He shakes his head. “Too bad. I’m going to score us a table. At a safe distance.”

“You do that.”

Sixteen

Chastity

“I don’t know, Chastity,”my new friend says as I start on problem number seven. “You might not be as bad at algebra as you think. I barely even helped you.”

“No, you did,” I insist as I solve the last problem. “My brain just doesn’t bend this way. I need to be shown what to do.” Sometimes three or four times.

But at least this assignment is under control. I’ll survive one more week of algebra, thanks to Ellie.

A couple hours ago I’d been sitting at a computer terminal in the library, where I submitted my composition.

I’d checked my email and found a message from Dylan.

Hi C! Are we on for algebra today? If I don’t hear from you I’ll head for the library.

I promise to be 100% sober. I’m sorry I was so out of line this weekend. That was completely inappropriate. It won’t happen again.

-Love,D.

A perfectly nice email, but it had crushed me anyway.It won’t happen again. Did he have to make that point so loudly? Like I don’t already know that?

I’m ashamed to admit that I’d felt a little teary right there in front of a borrowed Macintosh computer. I’d grabbed a paper napkin out of my backpack to dab at my eyes.

“Are you okay?”

I’d looked up to see Ellie watching me carefully from the next terminal. “Yes,” I’d croaked. “I’m fine”

“You don’t look all that fine.”

“True,” I’d admitted. “But it isn’t as bad as it looks.” I’ve never been one to complain.

“If you say so. Turning in the composition?”

“Just did.”

“Same. My computer is in the shop getting the keyboard replaced.” She’d let out a sigh. “It’s the second time my letter E got stuck.”

“Oh, I bet that’s annoying.” Not that I’d know. “I’m still saving up for one.”

“Jesus lord, I’d die.” She’d laughed. “Okay, fine. I wouldn’t die. A stuck E key is a first-world problem. But I’m used to my creature comforts. I’m Ellie, by the way.”

“I know. Chastity,” I’d said quickly. “That’s, uh, my name.”

God could Ibeany more awkward?