Because I could sure use one myself right now. It’s as if he read my thoughts from a minute ago.
And why not be friends?
I bite my lip, looking without really seeing the tattoo designs taped to the inside of the glass—snakes and skulls, hearts and roses.
Truth is, I’ve been worried about Seth, at home alone with his knee giving him trouble. Not eating. Nobody to prepare a compress for him. I’ve hesitated, unsure whether he’d want to see me again.
The person who ran him over and who’s best friends with Cassie.
But he’s the kindest person I’ve met in recent times. The way he didn’t openly blame me for hurting him, didn’t make me feel bad—not worse than I was already feeling. Then the way he smiled at me, held me close as I told him about my shitty day and my crushed dreams…
Least I can do is make sure he’s okay.
***
Too late I realize I didn’t ask Zane for Seth’s phone number or address. How am I going to find him now?
Stupid, Manon.
I’ve been too scatterbrained since I found out I was out of the dance program. All my focus had been on making the cut, and my thoughts are spinning out of orbit.
Cassie is the one who’s friends with Seth’s gang. She’s best friends with Ev, Micah’s girl.
Or was best friends with Ev. No idea how things stand now.
I drag my finger over the screen of my cell to find Cassie’s number and then hesitate. Should I ask her? Our brief talk yesterday didn’t end so well.
Do I want to hear what she has to say? Can there be an acceptable excuse for her selfish behavior? I’m not even sure I know her anymore.
But she’s still my friend. The possibility of patching up our friendship would mean a lot to me—and crap, I need her help with this. If I’m going to check on Seth, I need to do it soon, before I lose my nerve and say screw it.
She answers on the second ring. “Manon?”
“Hey.” I struggle for something to say.
“I’m so glad you called.” She sounds sad.
It makes me sad, too. “I thought about what you said. Maybe talking wouldn’t be a bad idea, after all. Let you explain about what happened. Seems only fair.”
“Thank you.” Her voice is lighter now. “Go for a drink with me? Tonight?”
I sink down on my sofa and images of Seth lying there assault me. “Sure. I need a favor, though.”
“Shoot.”
“You know you sometimes played pool with Shane and the guys? Before…” I sigh. “Before the incident with Jesse.”
A beat of sil
ence. “Yeah.”
“Do you happen to have Shane’s number? Or any of the guys?”
“Maybe… Why? Oh, this is about Seth, isn’t it?”
Crap. “Look, Seth and I are just friends. Or trying to be.”
“So you don’t have the hots for pretty Seth?”