“You’ve got balls,” Dalia, who sat in front of her, said.
Claire shook her head. “I just know that in a few years, when I’m at some bar soaking up the scene, Eastman’s going to be sitting there nursing a light beer. When he sees me, I’m going to make him buy me a drink, and he’ll remember what a joy it was for me to be in his class.”
Eastman met her gaze, respect shined in his eyes.
The bell rang and she grabbed her pack.
She wanted to catch Sean before he ran off.
Eastman stopped her. “Porter?”
“Yeah?”
He shook his head. “Never mind.”
She took a step, turned. “We’re good?”
He smiled.
Claire stuck out her fist. He bumped it with hers. “Don’t forget that beer,” she said as she ran out of the room.
She saw the top of Sean’s head and followed it. “Sean?”
She moved closer.
“Sean?”
He turned back, expression blank.
“Wait up.”
Once at his side, Claire slowed down. “Can I talk to you a second?”
He sighed.
She pulled him out of the line of students scrambling to their next period.
“Listen, I’m sorry.”
“You said that yesterday. I get it. You’re not interested.” He did not want to be standing there.
“It wouldn’t be fair. You’re a good-looking guy. I’m sure plenty of girls here would love it if you ask them to prom.”
Confusion sat around Sean’s eyes. “You have a boyfriend or something?”
It’s not the first time you’ve said this, Claire, it probably won’t be your last. “I . . . Shit.” She took a dramatic pause right out of a Shakespearian play. She leaned close, put a hand to his ear, and whispered. “I’m a lesbian.”
Sean leaned back, a myriad of expressions passing over his face. Doubt, confusion, acceptance, and then that . . .
“Don’t look at me like that’s hot.”
“Well, it kinda is.”
“Sean!”
He went back to acceptance. “Well, at least it isn’t me.”
“Like I said. You’re good-looking. It just doesn’t do anything for me. But you know my friend Ally?”
“She a lesbian, too?”
“No.” Claire spat the word at him. “She talks about you all the time. I bet she’d go to prom with you in a heartbeat.”
“She goes to Bremerton now.”
“And hates the kids there. She’d love a chance to come to Auburn’s prom.”
The walkways were clearing out. They were both going to be late.
“I’ll think about it.”
They started walking again.
“I know this is really juicy gossip. But can you keep it on the down low for a little while? There’s someone I want to ask out and if this starts spreading it will probably scare her off.”
Sean had that hot look in his eyes again.
Claire hit his arm. “I’m serious.”
“Okay, okay.”
The bell rang.
“Aw, damn,” he cried.
Claire kept walking slow. “Just tell your teacher someone turned you down for prom, they’ll cut you some slack.” She put her fist out.
“I’m starting to think you do have balls.”
They had pizza, chocolate, soda, and chips.
No liquor.
Apparently the old bat found a bigger lock for the liquor cabinet.
“I’m actually surprised she let me out,” Ally said after the conversation about the lack of liquor.
Claire, Jax, Ally, and Elsie were spread out around the living room. They had the music on, food everywhere, and books pushed aside.
“What did you do that got you busted last weekend?” Claire asked.
“I went to a party.”
“We knew that,” Elsie teased.
“It was last minute. I shouldn’t have gone.”
Claire was halfway through a piece of pizza. “Did it suck?”
“Hundred percent. I was told there’d be a bunch of kids from Auburn. I get there and I only recognize a few people. Nobody I really know.”
“Where was it?” Claire asked.
“Up in the foothills.”
“I hate going to parties when I don’t know someone,” Elsie said.
“That’s why you only go to parties with your friends. Always take a wingman, right, Claire?” Jax said.
“I never leave home without one.”
“I thought I had one. Louisa is the one who suggested it. When I get there I can’t find her. I think she ran off with her boyfriend. Totally ditched me.”
“Do I know Louisa?” Jax asked.
“No. She goes to junior college in Glendale.”
“That’s kinda far away, isn’t it?”
“She was supposed to be helping me with my algebra. She was harder to understand than my teacher. So when she said my favorite word, party, I’m like, let’s go. I get there, and it just didn’t feel right.”
Claire thought of Ally’s picture in the garbage can. Thought of Marie. “Don’t do that again,” Claire told her.
Ally didn’t bother arguing. “I won’t. I only drank half a beer and called an Uber. Halfway home I felt completely wasted.”
“Oh my God, someone totally slipped something in your drink.” Elsie said what they were all thinking.
Ally kept nodding. “Scared the crap out of me. That’s the kind of thing that happens to other people. I didn’t survive my mom to end up like her.” The girl had tears in her eyes.
Jax reached over and put a hand over hers. “You’re not your mom.”
Ally took her napkin and wiped her eyes. “My mom was always high. She was so embarrassing. But all of us have been to a party, we have a little fun. Is it the same thing?”
“There are a lot of adults out there who drink that aren’t alcoholics,” Claire told her.
Elsie sat up. “I’d rather hang out with you guys, and if we score some beer, great. Otherwise we get carb drunk and talk about guys.”
Ally leaned her head on Jax’s shoulder.
“You were smart enough to get away, Ally. And the Uber is even better.” Claire glanced over at the cable receiver where the camera was hidden. Although the team had probably already hacked into Ally’s account and were tracing that address.
“You can call me anytime for a ride,” Jax offered.
“That goes for all of us.”
“Thanks, guys. I just feel really dumb.” The girl was still tearful. Claire hoped she’d be that way for a while and never get caught like that again.
“Learn a lesson, but don’t beat yourself up too much. It could have happened to any one of us.”
Ally got herself together. “If I don’t do some homework, my grandmother isn’t going to let me come here.”
Jax jumped to her feet and took the pizza box off the table, and Elsie and Ally pulled out their books.
“I got you covered. Algebra is easy for me,” Claire said.
Ally moved to the couch, sat next to her. “Did Sean really ask you to prom and you said no?”