here long enough, but those popular people have something
against me, and some of them go out of their way to be mean to
me. I?ve never fit in with them.?
?And you never will,? he told her seriously. ?No matter where you
go you are going to be different, Helen. It?s about time you got used
to it.?
?I am used to it! I?ve had my whole life to get used to it!? she exclaimed
as they drove into the school parking lot.
?Good. Now stop freaking out and listen for a sec. Those guys
weren?t staring at us because they hate you. They were staring at us
because they couldn?t figure out how the hell I convinced a girl who
tried to strangle me the other week to get in my car and go out for
coffee.?
?Oh, yeah. I forgot about that,? Helen said to the ground, getting
out of the car. She tossed her bag over her shoulder.
?And I?d like to go back to forgetting about it. If we never talk
about trying to kill each other again, it would be fine with me,? Lucas
said quietly. He took her hand firmly in his and pulled her up
against him so that her shoulder was touching his arm as they
walked into school.
Everyone was staring. The halls were lined with blank faces and
slack jaws as conversations were momentarily halted and then continued
twice as loud when Helen and Lucas passed. Helen tried to
pull her hand out of Lucas?s, but he resisted at first. Finally, he let
go when he realized that Helen was not just being modest, she was
about to panic.
?Lennie?? Claire called out warily. Helen smiled briefly at Lucas
and veered in Claire?s direction.
?Where were you all weekend?? Claire asked, eyeing Lucas
suspiciously.