Treacherous

“IT’S FRIDAY!” Pierce sings as he skips up next to me on the sidewalk.

“Thank goodness.” I sigh. This week has been even more challenging than I had anticipated, but I feel like it’s getting a little easier with each day that passes.

“Got any plans for the weekend?”

“That would imply that I actually have friends.” I turn in the direction of my locker and Pierce follows me.

“Um, hello! What am I—chopped liver?” He knocks his shoulder into mine.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean….” I pause. “It’s just, well, you’re the only actual friend I’ve made this week. I swear people think I have some contagious disease. No one will talk to me

. Like what the heck?”

“Well I know just the solution. Come to a party with me tonight.”

“And that’s the solution how?”

“I can introduce you to some of my friends and it will give you a chance to socialize outside of school. Come on. It will be fun.”

“And where is this party?”

“Terri’s house.”

“And Terri is?”

“She’s who’s throwing the party, that’s who.” He pauses. “Don’t worry. Her parties are usually pretty good, and you’ll be there with me so it’s guaranteed to be a good time.”

“I’ll think about it,” I promise, not really sure if I’m in the partying mood.

“No thinking. You’re going,” he tells me matter of fact.

“You’re really quite pushy when you want to be.” I smile up at him.

“I know.” He chuckles.

My steps falter when I turn the corner and find Zayden at his locker.

He’d said something the first day about my locker being next to his and how it wouldn’t be for long, but clearly he doesn’t have the power he thinks he does, because it’s still my locker.

“He looks even more brooding today than usual.” Pierce follows my line of sight just as Oliver slides up next to Zayden. “If I had to guess, I’d say right there is your friend roadblock.” He gestures to the two of them.

“What do you mean?”

“I warned you about them and their minions. If Zayden’s got a problem with you then most of the school will, too. Even if they personally don’t have a problem with you, they won’t go anywhere near you if it means putting themselves in the line of fire.”

“But I haven’t done anything to him.” My temper flares in my voice.

“No, but his best friend has declared you public enemy number one, and that’s enough to put you on the list.”

“Freaking Oliver,” I groan. “As if he doesn’t make me miserable enough at home, now he’s going to ruin what’s left of my senior year.”

“Just keep your head up. I’m sure as time goes on they’ll get bored. Give it a few weeks. You’ll be old news before you know it.”

“Walk over there with me?” I look up at him pleadingly.

“Fine, but if I end up with a broken nose, your ass is paying for the plastic surgery to fix it,” he teases, looping his arm through mine.

“Deal.”