Not Yet

“Ali,” Lindsey repeats and gives the brightest fake smile to Court. “She had a reservation at Neiman Marcus. I think she said yes to the dress.”

“I didn’t realize she was going. Is she our year?” Court looks to Kira and Dakota, who pretend to be dumb. Although can they really pretend?

“Oh yeah, she’s the redhead that’s in AP calculus with my cousin,” Dakota chirps and then they all nod.

I keep my mouth shut because I don’t like them associating me with Ali. Some people might think this makes me an asshole, but these girls are vicious. It’s better to keep her away from this. I don’t know why Lindsay is sitting with us, but I think Liam has a thing for her.

“You know my dad’s renting a stretch Hummer for all of us to ride in,” Court says to me as she steals a fry off my plate. “You’re in, right?”

I push my tray toward her because I don’t want any more of them after she’s touched them. She beams at me and takes another and I’m close to pushing away from the table and going to the parking lot.

Lindsey is leaning in close to Liam and talking, and Dakota is telling Kira about shoes being on sale somewhere and I can’t hear anything else.

I wish I could just leave but I know Ali needs a ride. I also don’t want people seeing me take her home. It’s not like it’s going to be an enjoyable trip for either of us. We’ll probably ride in silence while she stares out the window like I’ve stepped on her puppy.

I’m not an asshole no matter what she thinks, but there’s only so much I can do when she’s around. And when we’re alone it’s not like it used to be. She was my best friend, but somewhere along the way things changed and she didn’t look at me the same anymore. Now my actions make her sad and no matter what comes out of my mouth it’s not right.

A bunch of the guys from the team come over and the Blonde Brigade gets louder. I’m ready to shove a plastic fork in my ear just as I spot Ali walking toward us.

Her red hair is down and over one shoulder and she’s not wearing her glasses. I’m immediately irritated, because she probably lost them. She’s done it twice already this year and I’ve had to tell Mom to get her more. She was either too scared or too embarrassed to do it herself.

She beams at me and for a second I’m taken aback. She’s bouncing in her Vans sneakers as she comes closer and holds her hand up and waves. For a second I feel my chest warm and a smile tugs at my lips as I start to raise my hand.

Then out of the corner of my eye I see Lindsey wave and I realize she was smiling at her.

“Oh my God, I can’t wait for you to see my dress.” Ali’s voice is so excited and all the warmth leaves me.

“So I guess we’re going to Homecoming,” Lindsey laughs, and Ali leans in close to her.

“Sorry, ladies, but Drake is exhausted with the Homecoming talk,” Court tells the two of them and Ali cuts her eyes at me.

I open my mouth to tell her to shove it, but then Kira cuts her off.

“Are we going to Chanel or not? I’ve got my mom’s credit card and she said I can get the shoes.”

One of the guys from my team comes up to me and starts talking about the game coming up next weekend. He’s talking loud so I can hear him over the crowd at the table, but it drowns out any conversation Ali is having with Lindsey.

I’m frustrated and pissed off because as much as I should care about this weekend, I can’t find it in me. I’m supposed to really fucking care, but all I want to do is eavesdrop on Ali’s conversation about the dress she picked out.

“Are you coming?” Dakota’s nasal voice pulls me out of my thoughts and I look up to see the Blonde Brigade standing there waiting.

Did they actually think I’d go shoe shopping with them? I see Wes beside her, so maybe she did, but I shake my head.

“Nah, I’m about to head back. I’ve got to get some sleep.”

“Must be tired from all those laps.” Kira makes one last jab as she winks at me and the girls walk away.

Most of the guys have gone to get food, so now is a good time to leave. “Are you ready?” I say to Ali and she looks away from me and nods. “Liam?”

“I’m good,” he says, and Lindsey beams.

“I offered to give him a ride since you guys were going uptown.”

“Cool,” I say and get up, not looking back over my shoulder at Ali.