"Football season doesn't last a year, honey. You might want to wake up if you're going to start casting blame." Her voice was like whiplash.
I shoved back the chair. "It takes long hours, sometimes two practices a night. They're already starting their Sunday practices. They have training that lasts all year, mom. It's a private school. Their football program is a big deal there. I know all the hours it takes. Jeff's been on the team for three years."
She sighed again. "You and that Jeffrey boy, he isn't good for you either, Sam. His father's a mechanic and his mother works as a cashier at the grocery store. There isn't a future with him."
I reared back. "I'm not marrying him."
"I know you, Samantha. You've been dating him since before you were freshmen. And even I noticed that he cheats on you."
A cruel smile came to me. "You're right, mom. You would notice. Cheaters can always tell when they've met another cheater. Congrats on being in that special club."
I sailed inside, but stopped short. Mason and Logan both sat at a table. They watched me. I watched them and then I darted upstairs. It didn't take me long to change clothes and grab my iPod. When I went back downstairs, they were gone. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered.
I hit the driveway running and kept going. Running had always been an escape for me and it still was. I didn't return until it'd grown dark and my body could barely stay upright. When I walked back inside, the whole place was silent. Eerie. My footsteps echoed in the hallways.
When I went past the dining room, my mom spoke from the table, "You've taken up running again?"
I took out my headphones and stood there. Sweat dripped off of me and I wondered if she'd make some comment how I dirtied the floor.
She sighed to herself and stood. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
I mopped some of the sweat off my face.
"I had dinner with James and the boys. They asked about you, but I told them you were upset with me. And do me a favor, Sam, eat something tonight? I don't want to start worrying that your eating disorder is back."
When she went down a hall, I saluted her back and then extended my middle finger. Then I rolled my eyes and went to my room. After I showered, I sat down and turned my phone on. It beeped continuously. Jessica and Lydia were at a bonfire. There was no word from Jeff. Then I shut it back off and crawled in bed.
My first day of the school year was going to be exhausting. I knew the whole year would be. The weekend had just started it off with a bang.
CHAPTER THREE
It was the first day back and I was a junior this year. Before last weekend happened, I'd been ecstatic for the year. We were juniors, one year away from being seniors. Then IT happened and I had no idea how the day would go.
My dad was their varsity football coach. He was beloved by many rich fathers and even a few mothers. The guys respected him. And my mother had left him high and dry. As I walked towards my locker, I wasn't sure what reception I'd get. If people would sympathize with me or label me a whore, like mother like daughter and so on. But when a few of the football captains rushed past me without a second glance, I wondered if no one knew…
Then Jeffrey fell against the locker beside me. His hair was filled with mousse and he gave me a crooked grin.
Oh, those dimples, how they used to work on me.
He grunted. "You no showed all weekend. What's up with that?"
"After that great farewell you gave me on Friday?" I reached inside for my books. "I have no idea what you mean."
He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Sam. I texted you a ton and I apologized. You didn't text me back at all."
I shrugged.
"Jess and Lydia were hurt. They thought you'd show."
I shrugged again.
He sighed, "What's with the act, huh? What's wrong with you?"
My eyes snapped to his. "What are you talking about?"
"You've been weird since Friday. It's like someone died in your family or something. What's going on?"
"How was the party and bonfire?"
He sighed again. "Whatever. They were fine."
"Did you find another hot chick there?"
His jaw stiffened. "You're playing that card?"
"I'm playing a card? Why don't you tell which one it is because I'm not aware of the hand you've dealt me."
He pushed off from the locker, rolled his eyes, and strutted away.
I didn't do anything. I didn't curse, sigh, or feel like crying. What I did do was roll back my shoulders and put my bag in the locker. Another day, another adventure. I took two steps towards my English class before Jessica and Lydia bounded up to me, literally.
We all wore uniforms, but their skirts barely showed the bottom of their ass cheeks. A lot of girls had the same. My friends had their shirts unbuttoned to show off their cle**age, complete with the red and black lacy bras each of them wore.
"Hey…"
Lydia readjusted her shirt so more of her right boob showed. "You totally were absent this entire weekend. What's up with that?"
Jessica nodded with a solemn look on her. "We were worried about you."
"Really?" I arched my eyebrow up.
They both nodded, and then someone walked past us and down the hallway. Their expressions changed immediately. They went from seriousness to exuberance.
Jessica clamped onto my arm and leaned forward. "Ashley DeCortts and Adam Quinn broke up this weekend."