Filed to story: The One That Got Away
Josh keeps petting Sadie.
“What did he say?” Now I’m just trying not to sound shrill. “Like, what was said exactly?”
“When I was ringing him up, I asked him when you guys started going out, and he said recently. He said he really liked you.”
What…
I must look as shocked as I feel, because Josh straightens up and says, “Yeah, I was kind of surprised too.”
“You were surprised that he would like me?”
“Well, kind of. Kavinsky just isn’t the kind of guy who would date a girl like you.” When I stare back at him, sour and unsmiling, he quickly tries to backtrack. “I mean, because you’re not, you know…”
“I’m not what? As pretty as Genevivian?”
“No! That’s not what I’m saying. What I’m trying to say is, you’re like this sweet, innocent girl who likes to be at home with her family, and I don’t know, I guess Kavinsky doesn’t strike me as someone who would be into that.”
Before he can say another word, I grab my phone out of my jacket pocket and say, “That’s Louis calling me right now, so I guess he does like homely girls.”
“I didn’t say homely! I said you like to be at home!”
“Later, Josh.” I speed walk away, dragging Sadie with me. Into my phone I say, “Oh hey, Louis.”
In chem, Louis sits a row in front of me.
I write him a note. Why would you tell Josh that we’re
– I hesitate and then finish with a thing?
I kick the back of his chair, and he turns around and I hand him the note. He slouches in his seat to read it; then I watch as he scribbles something. He tips back in his chair and drops the note on my desk without looking at me.
A thing? Haha.
I press down so hard my pencil tip chips off. Please answer the question.
We’ll talk later.
I let out a frustrated sigh and Matt, my lab partner, gives me a funny look.
After class Louis is swept away with all his friends; they leave in a big group. I’m packing up my backpack when he returns, alone. He hops up on the table. “So let’s talk,” he says, super casual.
I clear my throat and try to gather my bearings. “Why did you tell Josh we were-” I almost say “a thing” again, but then change it to “together?”
“I don’t get what you’re so upset about. I did you a favour. I could have just as easily blown up your spot.”
I pause. He’s right. He could have. “So why didn’t you?”
“You’ve sure got a funny way of saying thank you. You’re welcome, by the way.”
Automatically I say, “Thank you.” Wait. Why am I thanking him? “I appreciate you letting me kiss you, but-“
“You’re welcome,” he says again.
Ugh! He’s so insufferable. Just for that I’m going to toss a little dig his way. “That was … really generous of you. To let me do that. But I’ve already explained to Josh that it’s not going to work out with us because Genevivian has you whipped, so it’s all good. You can stop pretending now.”
Louis glares at me. “I’m not whipped.”
“But aren’t you, though? I mean, you guys have been together since the seventh grade. You’re basically her property.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Louis scoffs.
“There was a rumour last year that she made you get a tattoo of her initials on your butt for her birthday.” I pause. “So did you?” I reach around him and fake try to lift up the back of his shirt. He yelps and jumps away from me, and I collapse in a fit of giggles. “So you do have a tattoo!”
“I don’t have a tattoo!” he yells. “And we’re not even together any more, so can you stop with this shit? We broke up. We’re over. I’m done with her.”
“Wait, didn’t she break up with you?” I ask.
Louis shoots me a dirty look. “It was mutual.”
Hastily I say, “Well, I’m sure you’ll get back together soon. You’ve broken up before, right? Only to get back together again, like immediately. It’s probably because you were each other’s firsts. That’s why you can’t let each other go. I’ve heard that’s how it is with firsts, especially with guys.”
Louis’s mouth drops. “How do you know-“
“Oh, everybody knows. You guys did it freshman year in her parents’ basement, right?”
He gives a grudging nod.
“See? Even I know, and I’m a nobody. Even if you do stay broken up for real this time, which I doubt, it’s not like any other girl can date you.” Meaningfully I say, “Let’s not forget what happened to Jamila Singh.”
Louis and Genevivian broke up for a month last year, so Louis started dating Jamila Singh. Jamila might even be prettier than Genevivian – a different kind of pretty, anyway. More like hot. She has long, wavy black hair and a little waist and a big butt. Let’s just say it didn’t end well for her. Not only did Genevivian cut her out of the group, but she told everyone that Jamila’s family had an Indonesian slave living with them, when really it was just her cousin. And I’m pretty sure it was Genevivian who started a rumour online that Jamila washed her hair only once a month. The final straw was when Jamila’s parents got an anonymous e-mail saying that she was having sex with Louis. Her parents transferred her right out and put her in private school. Genevivian and Louis were back together by spring formal.
“Vivian says she didn’t have anything to do with that.”