All the students at Northside High agree on one thing:
Locker location is EVERYTHING.
If you get a locker where the popular kids hang…
You’re officially part of the “it” crowd.
And if you don’t get one of those coveted spots?
Then you’re a nobody with a loser locker.
But I’m used to it by now…
An Indian American nerd with frizzy hair and conservative parents.
I do have a report card full of straight A’s…
That doesn’t do much for your street cred.
But…there is one good thing about my loser locker.
I’ve got the best view of Jay Armstrong.
The football quarterback…
And the man of my dreams.
Jay’s locker is right across the hall from mine.
Which means that every morning I get to watch him.
At exactly 7:11 a.m. he walks up to his locker—
— Deliciously sweaty from football practice—
And takes off his jersey to reveal his perfect abs.
Just like he’s doing right now.
I flip open my notebook and start to draw.
Jay wipes down with a towel…
Runs his hands through his hair…
And flashes that gorgeous, lopsided smile.
If only that smile were meant for me.
We grew up together as neighbors, and friends.
I used to think we could be more than that…
But one day, three years ago, he just stopped talking to me.
He hasn’t even looked in my direction since.
Shelly
You missed a line.
I look up to see my loser locker neighbor—
She’s smiling at me with her creepy, beady eyes.
I should have known it was her.
Shelly points to my drawing of Jay.
Shelly
I believe he has another row of muscles on his abdomen.
I move my notebook away from Shelly’s greasy hands.
I always try my best to be nice to her but…
It’s kind of hard when she smells so bad.
She stares at me and holds up her class schedule.
Shelly
Do you have AP English first period too?
I nod, still holding my breath.
Shelly
Would you like to walk to class together?
Shelly
If we arrive early, we can be assured front row seats.
I shake my head no and let out a few words without breathing.
Raina
Got some stuff to do. But I’ll be there soon.
Shelly shrugs and saunters off.
Oh yeah — the man of my dreams — Jay Armstrong.
I look at my drawing, and start to add another line on his abs, when—
My pen is suddenly ripped from my hands.
Summer
Enjoying the view?
I look up and into the eyes of Summer Hart.
She’s Northside High’s head cheerleader…
The most popular girl at school…
And Jay Armstrong’s girlfriend.
Raina
W-what do you mean?
I hate the way my voice shakes…
The way it ALWAYS shakes…around her.
When she hears it, she laughs.
Standing behind her are her minions — Vivi Baez and Briar Fox.
Vivi looks me up and down.
Vivi
Is that really your outfit for the first day of senior year?!
I look down at my old jeans and t-shirt.
Vivi
You are such a scrub!
Briar
Oh, I dunno Viv…I kinda like it.
Briar
It highlights her best feature…
Vivi raises a perfectly manicured eyebrow.
The two girls cackle together.
Summer takes a step forward…
Pressing me against the cold, hard steel of my loser locker.
Her voice is deceptively sweet.
Summer
Are you really going to spend another year pining after my man?
Raina
I…I-don’t know what you’re talking about.
She snatches my notebook out of my hands.
Summer glares down at my drawing of Jay.
And when our eyes meet again…
There are flames in her dark stare.
She rips the page out of my notebook and slowly tears it down the middle.
Vivi flips her long black hair over her shoulder.
Vivi
Ugh, I knew you were pathetic.
Vivi
But this is a new low, even for you.
Briar
For reals, so creepy.
Briar
What else are you hiding in there?
Horror fills my gut as Briar grabs the notebook from Summer and starts flipping through it.
Briar
Oh my god, Summer, these are all of Jay.
Briar
And he’s like, butt naked!
Vivi grabs the notebook out of Briar’s hands.
Vivi
Gross! What are you, some kind of stalker?!
They laugh as they flip through the pages.
And her eyes haven’t left mine.
I try to hide the humiliation I’m feeling and will myself to speak.
Summer
How delusional you are.
Summer
That you think Jay would ever want you…
Her eyes narrow, and she leans in toward me.
Vivi and Briar close in behind.
Summer whispers in my ear.
Summer
I mean, you’re not pretty enough to be that stupid.
She reaches behind me and opens my locker door.
Summer
You’re worthless, Raina.
Summer, Vivi, and Briar pick me up…
And violently shove me inside my locker.
Summer
And that’s why you’ll always be alone.
Summer slams the locker door in my face…
Darkness closes in around me.
And hatred burns in my chest.
I slam a fist against the door.
Why do I let her bully me like this?!
Why can’t I ever stand up for myself?!
I close my eyes, and lean my forehead against my fist.
Why do I let a girl who used to be my best friend…
Hatred morphs into despair…
And heat rises up my chest, my neck, and my face.
I bang on the inside of the locker door…
I feel myself starting to hyperventilate.
And I’m about to pass out…
But then, I feel a cold sweep of wind on my face.
And an eerie white light suddenly emanates from the locker walls.
I take a deep breath, and I start to feel calmer.
A glimmer catches the corner of my eye.
I turn to the left wall of my locker…
There are letters written all over the inside of my locker…
They’re names and initials.
I’m mesmerized by the strange, glowing ink…
As I look at all the names etched onto my locker wall.
Raina
Why haven’t I seen these before?
I read a few of the names, but don’t recognize anyone I know.
They must have been written years ago.
I trace the wall with shaking fingers.
Suddenly, something falls to a thud on my foot.
I look down and see a strange pen on the locker floor.
I use my sneaker to roll it part way up the wall…
And then stretch my arm down until I can just grab it.
I wrap my fingers around the glowing pen.
It feels cool in my hand.
I look more closely at the pen.
It’s silver and translucent.
And it has that same, eerie glow…
As the names on the wall.
I swear, for a moment, the pen pulsates against my skin.
I stare at all the names and initials inside my locker wall.
And, suddenly, I’m overcome with an urge to add to them.
So I write the first initials that come to my mind:
I draw a heart around the letters…
My locker door flies open.
And I look up to see a familiar face:
Which, of course, makes her a total loser at this school—
But Quinn is one of the few people I actually like.
Quinn
Girl, what are you doing in here?
I squint as sunlight pours into my locker.
I turn sideways and step into the hallway…
Quickly shutting the locker behind me.
For some reason, I don’t want her to see the names.
Raina
I uh…accidentally got locked inside.
I stuff the silver pen in my pocket.
Quinn gives me a quizzical look.
She picks my torn notebook up off the floor and hands it to me.
I take the notebook from her and nod, my face flushed.
Quinn opens the locker door and jiggles the inside of the lock.
Quinn
You know you can’t get locked in, right?
Quinn
It’s got a safety latch here, right on the inside.
Her next words stop me short.
Quinn
Although I wouldn’t be spendin’ my time stuffed up in there if I were you…
Quinn
That locker is…cursed.
She smiles a mischievous smile and wiggles her eyebrows.
Quinn
My column in today’s school paper — read it.
I stare at her, confused.
Quinn
See you in class, girl.
I stand there, glued to my spot.
Does she know about the glowing names?
I open the locker door and peer inside again…
But the letters — and the light — are gone.
Suddenly, the bell rings.
I’m late for my first class!
I gather my things and shut my locker door.
Still staring at my locker.
And wondering what Quinn meant.
I drop my books and spin around.
I just walked smack into Jay Armstrong.
My face flushes with embarrassment.
I bend down to pick up my books…
Assuming he’ll ignore me…
Just like he’s done for the past three years.
But when I look up, his eyes lock with mine.
He stares at me, his eyes wide.
His face goes completely still.
A cold wind sweeps by us.
His mouth contorts strangely, and then—
Jay
I think about that night in the pool house all the time.
The walls seem to close in on me as I replay his words.
His mouth is hanging open…
But before I can get my voice to work…
— As if he can’t believe those words just left his mouth—
I stand dumbfounded in the hallway…
Watching him disappear around the corner.
My hands tremble at my sides.
That night in the pool house…
He’s barely even looked at me since that night…
He still thinks about it?
My heart shimmers with hope.
But then reality rushes back in.
Summer probably got him to play a prank on me.
It’s just some cruel joke.
And finally get my feet to move.
I get to first period and find my seat.
The teacher, Ms. Akins, is facing the board.
Ms. Akins
You’re late, Ms…?
Raina
Uh, it’s Raina. Raina Sen.
Ms. Akins
Sit down, Raina.
She speaks without looking at me.
I’m still reeling from what just happened with Jay.
I look at the row of seats.
Smelly Shelly waves at me from the front row.
I smile weakly and wave back.
Both seats next to hers are empty…
But thankfully, Quinn gestures to me from the back.
I hurry to take the empty seat beside her.
Ms. Akins
Okay class, we have a lot of material to cover this year.
She’s smiling when she turns to face us…
And her eyes sweep over the class.
Ms. Akins
So let’s get start—
But then, her gaze meets mine…
Her eyes grow wide as they lock with mine.
A cold wind sweeps through the classroom.
Her mouth contorts strangely, and then—
Ms. Akins
I’m madly in love with my sister’s husband!
I rear back, stunned at her words.
The class around us erupts into laughter.
Ms. Akins covers her mouth with a shaking hand.
Ms. Akins
I didn’t mean to say that!
But I’m too shocked to join in.
Ms. Akins
Okay, okay, that’s enough!
She bangs on her desk, and the class finally starts to quiet.
Ms. Akins launches into her lesson for the day.
I take out my textbook and pretend to follow along…
Why did Ms. Akins blurt out that secret in front of the entire class?
Jay looked at me like that too, with wide eyes—
Just before he…said what he said.
Could these two incidents somehow be…linked?
I take a sip from my water bottle, trying to calm my mind.
It’s nothing, I tell myself.
I start to feel a bit better…
But then I see what’s written on the chalk board…
She has the same initials as Jay.
The same initials I wrote this morning…
With that eerie, silver pen…
On my glowing locker wall.
Quinn’s words come back to me:
I shoot straight up out of my chair…
Could this really be happening?!
Could the initials I wrote in the locker this morning…
Be connected to the weird outbursts?
I place my palms flat on the desk in front of me.
Quinn gives me a strange look.
I’m currently contemplating the impossible.
Ms. Akins’ eyes swing my way.
Ms. Akins
Is there something you need, Raina?
Her cheeks are still bright red.
I should sit back down and pretend none of this ever happened.
I have to test out my theory.
Raina
May I use the bathroom please?
Ms. Akins raises her eyebrow.
Ms. Akins
Class just began.
I bounce up and down, pretending…
Ms. Akins relents and hands me a hall pass.
And nearly slip on the sleek floors as I round the corner.
I pull the silver pen out of my pocket as my locker comes into view—
I spin around to see Mr. Armstrong.
Northside High’s principal…
He glares at me as he steps out of the bathroom.
He finishes tucking in his shirt and walks up to me.
Mr. Armstrong
Where are you headed?
Raina
Erm, I forgot my textbook…in my locker.
He looks at me, eyebrows raised…
Then hands back the pass.
Mr. Armstrong
No running in the halls.
Mr. Armstrong
Next time, it’s detention.
I nod, and he spins on his toes and walks away.
There’s pink tissue paper hanging out of the back of his pants.
I chuckle and tiptoe toward my locker.
I open the door and step inside.
And as soon as I shut the door…
The glowing letters appear again.
There are the initials I wrote — J.A. — with a heart drawn around them.
I look down at the glowing pen in my hands.
It feels cool to the touch.
I slowly take off the cap.
Then I write the initials:
If this works, I’ll explain everything to her later.
I lift the safety latch and stumble out of the locker…
Barely remembering to close the door behind me.
I run back to class and rush through the door.
Red-faced and slightly out of breath…
Everyone’s noses are buried in their textbooks.
Ms. Akins looks up from her lesson plan and gives me an exasperated sigh.
Ms. Akins
Sit down, Raina, and get to work.
She’s deep in her reading.
Writing Quinn’s initials on my locker…
Quinn glances up at me and then back at her book.
Of course it did nothing.
What would that even mean?
I make my way back to my seat…
And by the end of class, I’m feeling better.
I turn to gather my books…
And my eyes lock with Quinn’s.
She stares at me, and her eyes go wide.
A cold wind sweeps between us.
Her mouth contorts strangely, and then—
Quinn
My nipple piercing gives me spontaneous orgasms!
The rest of the class erupts in hoots and hollers.
Quinn blinks her eyes with confusion…
Then leans back slowly in her seat.
Quinn
I didn’t mean to say that.
I run after Quinn as she heads out of the classroom.
She still looks perplexed about what just happened…
But, to her credit, she doesn’t really seem embarrassed.
Some kids from class walk by, point at her, and snicker.
She just flips them the bird, unfazed, and turns back to me.
Raina
What did you mean this morning…
Raina
When you said my locker is cursed?
She puts a hand on her hip.
Quinn
Didn’t you read my article yet?
I don’t have the heart to tell her no one ever reads the school paper.
I don’t even know where to get one.
Then pulls a newspaper out of her bag.
I grab it from her and read the headline.
Quinn’s Qorner — August 19, 1996.
Quinn’s Qorner
“Death at Northside High: The Tragic Tale of Eleanor Buckley.“
Raina
Who’s Eleanor Buckley?
Quinn leans in conspiratorially.
Quinn
There was an incident.
Raina
What kind of incident?
Quinn
A girl named Eleanor was bullied.
Quinn
Some girls shoved her into a locker and shut her inside…
We walk up to my locker just then…
And Quinn gives me a meaningful look.
Quinn
It was the last day of school before summer, and everyone had already gone home.
Quinn
So no one was around to let her out…
Quinn
The janitor found her body on the first day of school the next year.
Quinn
She’d starved to death.
I cover my mouth in horror.
Quinn
Her eyes were open all wide…
Quinn
And her mouth was twisted in pain…
Quinn
Like she’d been calling out for help.
Quinn
Girl, you don’t even know.
Quinn
Can you imagine being locked in here all alone until death?
I shake my head slowly, still processing what I’ve just learned.
Quinn
That’s why they put in the safety latches.
Quinn
But the story doesn’t stop there…
Quinn
Right when the bell rang on that first day…
Quinn
When everyone was gathered around this locker…
Quinn
Looking at Eleanor’s dead body…
Quinn
The girls who had shoved her into the locker…confessed.
Quinn
All at the same time.
Raina
They just spontaneously…confessed…their secret?
Quinn points to the picture in her article.
Quinn
The janitor took that picture when her body fell out of the locker.
I look closely at the picture…
A girl about my age is lying there, in front of my locker…
Her body splayed on the ground…
Her mouth twisted with pain.
And, gripped tightly in her hand…
I wait until the halls are empty.
I stuff myself back into my locker, then shut the door.
The glowing letters immediately appear…
And they nearly take my breath away.
Gathering myself, I skim through Quinn’s article again…
Searching for the names of Eleanor’s tormentors.
Mary Addleton, Brandy Cross, and Heather White.
I search all along the locker walls…
Then I look right in front of my eyes.
There — on the back of the locker door—
I see their initials, written in red:
And etched beneath the initials are the following words:
When next your guilty eyes do lock with mine…
And loudly rings a bell throughout the halls…
Your secrets dark and dirty deep entwined…
Will seize your lips and be revealed to all.
With heart enclosed a heart’s desires tells.
A double-crosser crossed eliminates.
Liars, cheats, and tormentors pray tell, lest…
This magic locker’s walls secure your fate.
And it’s written…in blood.
But there’s no other explanation for what happened to Jay, Ms. Akins, and Quinn.
I go over the events again in my mind.
I wrote their initials on the locker wall…
And their eyes locked with mine…
They each blurted out a secret!
“Liars, cheats, and tormentors pray tell, lest…”
“This magic locker’s walls secure your fate.”
Did she somehow imbue the locker with…
Is that cold wind that sweeps over me right before someone blurts out a secret…
I shiver as I walk up the steps to my house.
I nearly miss Jay arriving at the same time next door.
I’d normally just walk inside.
But after what he said today…
When I see him making his way over to me…
His dark brown hair is messy…
As if he’s been running his hands through it all day.
And that lopsided smile of his is nowhere to be seen.
I hold my breath as he stops a few feet away.
Jay
Wanted to apologize for this morning.
Jay
I don’t know why I said what I said…
He pauses, as if still trying to figure it out.
But I don’t need to wonder.
And even though the truth was forced out of him…
I’m still desperate for his words.
But he sighs and looks down.
Jay
Just…I’m sorry, okay?
Knowing that he still thinks about me…
I find a small kernel of courage that I didn’t have this morning…
And slowly let go of my grip on the banister.
I walk down until I’m standing right in front of him.
Because I want to hear him say it again.
This time, of his own accord.
He goes still at my question.
And when he finally replies…
His voice is nothing more than a rasp.
I look him in the eyes, my breathing heavy.
Raina
I think about that night too, Jay.
Raina
It was my first time.
Jay
It was mine, too, Raina.
Jay
That night was…special.
Breathing in his sweet words.
But when I open my eyes and look up at him again…
He’s backing away across the lawn.
Jay
But it doesn’t matter now.
But, just then, a cherry red convertible pulls into his driveway…
And my dreams are shattered again.
Summer, Vivi, and Briar drive up, honking and waving at Jay.
My stomach drops as I see Summer hop out of the backseat in her short cheerleading skirt…
And throw herself into Jay’s arms.
The hatred I felt for her while trapped inside my locker this morning returns full force.
I gave my virginity to him that night in the pool house.
But then he suddenly stopped talking to me…
And a week later, he was dating Summer Hart.
Summer was my best friend…
And she stole him from me!
My gut roils with growing anger.
I’m so caught up in my thoughts…
I nearly jump out of my skin when I hear the loud horn blare.
I look over and see the convertible in front of my lawn.
Briar and Vivi are sitting inside, grinning cruelly.
Briar adjusts her ample chest…
Then leans over the side of the car.
Briar
You look like ****.
Briar
Spend your morning stuffed in a locker?
They both cackle with delight.
Briar looks over to Summer and Jay…
Briar
He’ll never want you, you know.
Briar
Not when you look like something I chewed up and spit out.
And it lands inches away from my sneaker.
My chest rises and falls with measured breaths…
Vivi
Let’s get out of here.
Vivi
Before we catch what she has.
The car screeches as they speed away…
And Jay and Summer head into his house.
But I stand there on my lawn…
Long after they disappear.
If only there were something I could do.
Some way I could get revenge on Summer and her cruel minions…
For bullying me all these years.
Then press my hand against the pen in my pocket.
A grin slowly spreads across my face…
As an idea takes shape in my mind.
Maybe there is something I can do.
My mom calls out from the kitchen as I bound up the stairs.
Mom
How was first day of school?
I keep running, not stopping to talk.
I yell over my shoulder without turning my head.
Mom
Did you make new friends?
Raina
Can’t talk now, Mom! Too much homework.
I run up to my bedroom and shut the door.
Being invisible for the past three years…
I’ve heard and seen things that I probably shouldn’t have.
And I’m going to expose them.
I’m going to use my magic locker…
To take down Summer and her evil friends.
When I arrive at school the next morning…
The pen is already in my hand.
I pass by the cool kids’ lockers…
And glare at Summer, Vivi, and Briar…
Flirting and laughing with all the jocks.
I just smile to myself, and walk up to my locker…
Invisible to all of them, as usual.
I slip inside and gently shut the door.
The glow coming off the walls feels cool on my face.
I examine the initials I wrote yesterday.
I meant them to stand for Jay Armstrong.
But the locker didn’t know that…
Because Ms. Akins has the same initials.
This time, I’ll be more specific.
I pull the cap off the pen and place it confidently on the wall.
A coolness seeps through my fingers…
As I write out the name of my next victim:
There’s a pep rally this morning…
So Briar will definitely be there.
Everyone will be around to hear her secret.
Because I know she’s hiding things.
I’ve seen how she’s changed over the years.
Not just on the inside, but on the outside too.
I rush in just as the bell rings.
My eyes scan the rows of students chatting on the bleachers.
Mr. Armstrong steps behind the podium…
And the crowd grows quiet.
Briar Fox — sitting in the front row—
With all the cheerleaders and football players.
I enter her line of vision…
And her eyes lock with mine.
A cold wind sweeps between us.
Her plump lips open and her mouth contorts strangely…
And her high-pitched voice slices through the auditorium.
Her head turns creepily toward Summer.
Briar
Last year, I snuck into your bedroom and stole your bra…
Briar
So I could make a plaster of your boobs…
There’s a beat of pin-drop silence.
And then the audience erupts.
Loud gasps and harrowing laughter echo against the domed ceiling.
Summer stares at her friend, utterly appalled.
Vivi, sitting on Summer’s other side, gapes at Briar…
Her mouth twisted with disgust.
The silver pen thrums in my hand…
As something I’ve never felt courses through my veins…
I knew Briar had plastic surgery…
But this secret is even better than I imagined!
I take in the chaos around me…
And I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face.
Our gazes lock, and my heart thumps.
His expression is curious…
And for some reason, I shove the pen back in my pocket.
My eyes are then drawn to Marcus and Peter…
Jay’s two best friends, sitting on either side of him.
Marcus is grinning maniacally…
And Peter is howling with laughter.
Peter suddenly stands from his seat and yells so everyone can hear:
Peter
Knew they were fake when I felt them, babe…
Peter
But who cares? They’re great boobs!
Marcus
Guess we have Summer to thank for that!
I laugh along with everyone else…
My gaze sliding back to Briar.
Literally trembling in her seat.
Her eyes are lined with tears…
And I see a trail of mascara running down one cheek.
But then I feel another pair of eyes on me.
Her gaze is narrowed as she takes in my smile.
She stands from her seat…
Vivi
What are you laughing at, *****?
Vivi
Talk about someone who could use a boob job!
The audience erupts with laughter all over again…
And my body freezes with humiliation.
Peter, his face still red from laughing…
Peter
She should start with a nose job!
Vivi
Ohh yeah! And a hair transplant!
Vivi
Then maybe we could stand to look at her.
Vivi and Peter howl together with laughter.
I stumble back, a rush sounding in my ears…
The laughter seems louder than before.
And this time, it’s aimed at me.
Unprompted, my eyes go to Jay’s.
He’s hissing something at Peter…
So, so unbelievably stupid.
With quivering hands, I open my locker…
I throw the silver pen to the floor…
Then put my head in my hands.
Tears stream endlessly down my face.
It was me who was put to shame.
I glare at her name on the wall…
Written in my handwriting.
The silver ink is still glowing…
But now it feels like a taunt.
A soft knock sounds on my locker, and I jump.
The sound of his voice sends my pulse into a gallop.
For a second, I’m lost for words.
The door is suddenly pulled open…
His handsome face etched with concern.
I step out, blinking away the tears in my eyes.
Trying to get my emotions under control.
Jay
Raina, I’m sorry Peter said that—
Embarrassment tightens my throat…
And years of pent-up anger bubble to the surface.
Raina
What do you care, Jay?!
He backs up, stunned at my outburst.
Raina
You haven’t talked to me in three years!
Raina
Just leave me alone.
Raina
Go back to pretending that I don’t exist.
Raina
You’re good at that.
And I see his hands clench into fists at his sides.
Jay
But you gave me no choice.
His voice is quiet, but there’s heat behind each word.
Raina
Is that what you’re saying?!
Unable to believe what I’m hearing.
Raina
My fault that the week after we slept together…
Raina
You started dating my best friend??
Jay
Aren’t you forgetting what happened in between?
Raina
What are you talking about?
He takes a step forward, getting all up in my personal space.
My heart stutters at his nearness.
Jay
What you told Summer the night after we slept together.
Jay
That you regretted it!
Jay
That I was awkward…and disappointing.
Jay
And that you never wanted me to touch you again.
My mouth drops open, my knees nearly buckling.
He runs his hands through his hair.
Jay
Summer told me what you said…
Jay
Because she didn’t want to see me hurt.
Jay
She was there for me…
Jay
And then…we fell in love.
His eyes flicker with a hint of sadness.
My eyes filling with tears again.
Raina
Jay, I never said any of those things!
Jay
Look, we were young and inexperienced.
Jay
It was a long time ago…
I reach out and put a hand on his arm.
He flinches at the contact.
Raina
Jay, I told Summer that night meant everything to me.
Raina
I told her YOU meant everything to me.
As if he doesn’t quite believe it.
Jay
Then why did Summer say you hated it?
Jay
She wouldn’t lie to me.
Raina
If you believe that, then you don’t know her.
Raina
Because she did lie.
He looks away, conflicted.
Raina
Please tell me you believe me.
Raina
Deep down, you have to know I wouldn’t say those things.
And I can only hope he sees the sincerity in my gaze.
He scans my face, then his eyes soften.
Raina
I thought our night together was amazing.
Regret suddenly twists his features…
And I think he’s about to reach out to take my hand…
The air hangs heavy between us.
And speak what’s on my mind.
Raina
So, what are you going to do?
Raina
Now that you know she lied?
He hesitates, but then the look on his face changes.
And, just like that, the spark between us is gone.
He stands up straight and leans away from me.
Summer really has Jay wrapped around her little finger.
Just like she does everyone else.
There’s nothing I can do about that right now.
But I still want him any way I can have him…
Raina
But can you and I start over?
He smiles that lopsided smile.
And my heart warms in my chest at the sight of it.
Peter comes barreling around the corner…
And stops abruptly when he sees Jay talking to me.
Peter
What are you doing?
He looks me up and down as if to say…
“What are you doing talking to this scrub?”
I cross my arms, glaring at him.
Jay
What does it look like?
Clearly befuddled as to why the captain of the football team…
Would be talking to a loser like me.
Peter
Whatever, just come back to the rally.
Peter
If Coach sees that you skipped…
My body tingles in response.
Feeling happier than I have in years.
Ignoring the look Peter gives me…
I keep my eyes on the man I love.
The man I’ve loved for years.
And with that thought in my head…
And retrieve my silver pen.
I don’t go back to the gym.
Thinking about Jay’s smile.
We’re going to be friends again.
…If it weren’t for Summer.
The anger in my blood reaches a boiling point.
She’s even worse than I thought!
Quinn
Girl, I need your help!
I spin around to see Quinn behind me…
A mischievous smile on her face.
Quinn
You gotta make a drawing for me.
