The Original Crowd (A Whole New Crowd 0.50)
“I’m deliberately entertaining myself. You just happen to be an easy target this morning.”
“Because of you!”
“You’re the one who woke me up. I was content to sleep.”
“Shut up.”
Tray laughed.
“So—” I announced, thinking how I should put this.
“Yeah?” Tray waited.
“Are…are other people going to be riding with us?”
Tray just laughed. “You have not made your opinions quiet about my friends. And yet, you needed encouragement to ask that question?”
“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t like to always be a bitch.”
“Taryn,” Tray spoke.
“What?”
“What are you worried about?”
“I don’t want Amber, Jasmine, or Tristan riding with us.”
“Tristan will for sure have her own car. I swear the girl’s identity is attached to that car. So she’s not a problem. I’ll tell the rest that they need to ride with someone else.”
“And what if they insist on riding with you?” I cringed, thinking about that possibility.
“Then I’ll tell ‘em you’re with me and you’re crabby. Trust me, they won’t want to ride with us.”
It was meant to soothe me, and if I were anyone else, I’m sure they would’ve been insulted. Not me. It made me perk up a little. I liked knowing I had that kind power over girls like them.
“That’s good,” I murmured, closing my eyes for a moment.
The moment turned into a steadfast sleep, because the next time I opened them, we were at Carter’s. I groaned, wanting to be back asleep, but I saw five cars parked in the driveway with a crap load of people ambling around.
“How many are going with us?”
Tray shrugged. “The crew.” Then he was out the door, walking lazily to Carter’s open trunk where some of the basketball players had congregated.
A few of them nodded in greeting to Tray, two high-fived him, and everyone else either called out greetings or they all looked up and watched.
The bottom line: Tray’s appearance was noticed.
I got outside to stretch, but then re-thinking the trip, I decided a last bathroom trip might be wise. As I walked inside Carter’s mansion, I heard from the kitchen, “Taryn.”
It was Tristan, so I hurried my steps.
“Hey, Taryn.” She’d followed me. Don’t people realize when they’re being ignored? They should learn to realize that.
“Yeah?” I asked, standing in the hallway.
“Sasha called us. She said Mandy didn’t show for the bus.” Tristan’s perfect eyelashes were large and voluminous, and her eyes were concerned. “What happened? Is she alright?”
“She’s out of town. There was a family emergency.”