But she’s not my bestie anymore. I’m so upset with her. I don’t think I can trust her. And yet she’s the closest I have to a bestie. I spent my last year of high school in France, with my mom, and the friends I made back in Detroit before that not only aren’t here in Madison—I’ve also mostly lost touch with them.
I mean, sure, we chat sometimes on Facebook, I see their pics on Instagram, and they keep asking me when I’ll go visit. With all the training, I never had the time to even think about traveling.
Now… Now maybe I should. Maybe they have ideas as to what a failed ballet dancer can do with her life.
I stand under the spray in the shower, and the water rolling down my cheeks feels like tears.
***
The problem with being friends with a traitor by the name of Cassie is that people who were friendly before are now avoiding you like the plague.
Like now.
I’m walking down the street, staring at storefronts, trying to take my mind off the present, when I run into some of the guys from the tattoo shop where Jesse works.
The one with the Mohawk is Zane. I remember him because that hairdo sure is impressive, but it takes me a moment to remember who the others are.
Micah is the tall, blond one, friend of Jesse’s and Seth’s, and he’s currently scowling at me like I’ve kicked his puppies. The tall dark-haired guy next to him isn’t looking happy to see me, either.
I stop to watch them pass, not sure what to do with myself. Not talking to them feels weird, but from their expressions I really don’t think they’d appreciate me chatting them up.
So I start when I realize they’ve stopped, too, just a few feet away.
“Hi,” I say, mortified.
“You Cassie’s friend?” the tall, dark-haired one asks. “Maud or something?”
“Manon,” I whisper, and oh God, my voice is barely audible.
Micah huffs and turns to—unlock the door of a shop?
DAMAGE CONTROL says the sign above. The tattoo shop where they’re all working. Didn’t realize it was here. I must have passed outside many times.
“Wanna come inside?” Zane asks, pausing at the store entrance. His dark eyes watch me intently. “Did you come by to see someone?”
“I was just passing by,” I whisper. “Seth… Seth works here, right?”
Zane’s almond-shaped eyes narrow. “Well, he’s one of our apprentices, though he hasn’t been around much these past few months.”
“Why not?”
“Accidents.” He turns to face me fully, and God, the guy’s huge, taller and wider than Seth. “First, he was beaten up by Ev’s psycho ex. Know Ev? Micah’s girl.” He nods at the shop. “And then by a guy who had a beef with Jesse. Seth’s been down on his luck lately, and it’s not like most of his life has been any better.”
That’s sad. “Why are you telling me all this?”
“Why not?”
“I don’t know, because your friends don’t seem to like me much? Because of what Cassie did, I suppose.”
“You’re not Cassie. Or do you think what she did was okay?”
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s okay at all.”
“Then we’re fine.” He runs his hands over the shaved sides of his head. Silver hoops glint in one eyebrow. “As to why I told you about Seth…” He suddenly grins, a boyish, bright smile that catches me by surprise. “I like the way you said his name. I think you like him. And I think…” He leans closer, and I take a step back. “I think he could use some liking right now.”
He winks and turns away, opens the door and vanishes inside the shop.
Leaving me to stare after him, totally confused. Is this Zane’s way of telling me Seth could use a friend?