Unwritten Rules (Rules 1)

“Anyway, I’ve got a shift at the animal shelter in thirty minutes. You’re okay to get home?”

“Yeah, Will’s driving me.”

An unreadable look crawls into her eyes. “He is?”

“Yeah. Something wrong?”

“No. Just surprised that he knows what a nice gesture is, that’s all.” She purposefully ignores my eyes set on her. “I’ll see you at home. Don’t forget. Tomorrow, 9:30 sharp.” She turns away, heading for her car that’s parked in its usual spot.

I watch her stride across the parking lot and shake my head, trying not to overthink her confusing behavior. That’s just Kass being Kass.

On a positive note, the party is not today. I have a whole day before she drags me to hell. There’s no school on Friday this week. So, of course, that means a massive pool party on a Thursday.

I’m ripped away from my racing thoughts when I see Will’s car in the distance. I march toward him and slide into the passenger seat.

“What took you so long?” he asks.

“Kass begging me to go to a party I don’t want to go to. What’s new?”

He doesn’t laugh, the smile on his lips fading away. “A party, huh?” He slightly clenches his jaw, his fingers tightly wrapped around the steering wheel. What’s with him?

“Didn’t you use to have to drag her to those?”

“Yeah. I guess she had a change of heart. Something about needing to get her mind off some things. Whatever that means.” I stare out the window.

Will doesn’t reply, giving off a vibe that’s positively frosty. It’s no secret that Will and Kass don’t really get along, but I didn’t know it was to the point of drastically changing attitude at the mere sound of each other’s name.

“How’s Kendrick doing?”

“Not too bad. You’ll see for yourself.” He turns on the radio, making it clear he is not interested in small talk.

I have no idea what caused this mood swing, and frankly, I don’t even have the energy to overthink it. I bury my earplugs in my ears and throw my head back, my worries vanishing with every note.

That’s when my phone lights up with a text message.

Haze: You looked gorgeous today.

I stare at the screen in shock. I have no idea what he did these past three days, but the fact that he didn’t try and annoy me until now tells me he must’ve been really busy.

But doing what? Maybe he was with Bianca. I haven’t seen her much at school either. The thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Why the hell do I care?

Winter: Says the guy who didn’t show up to school.

Haze: I don’t need to. I know you looked good.

Winter: Does that line usually work for you?

Haze: Usually, but you’re not like other girls.

Winter: *violently vomits at how cheesy you are*

Haze: *violently keeps on being cheesy*

Winter: Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you as it seems it’s the only way to get you to leave me alone

Haze: There’s no Netflix in jail