“What the hell.” I liked Davina, apparently well enough to make an ass of myself in solidarity. “How long does it last? I need to tell Kian I’ll be late tomorrow.”
“Depends on when they call you to perform, but allow an hour.”
“Awesome.”
“You need an original cheer and then you’ll also be scored on how fast you learn the routine, along with the rest of your group. I don’t suppose you can do a backflip?”
“I can walk backward. Sort of.”
Davina smiled and slung an arm around my shoulders. “I would not be okay if you weren’t around this year. I’m glad we’re friends.”
She had no idea how much those four words meant to me … or how scared I was that something evil might be listening. I was like some kind of disaster demon, one touch, and the contagion spread, inky tendrils of malevolence creeping toward those I cared about. Still, I didn’t shift away because Davina needed the contact as much as I did; it took all of her bravado to pretend the stories about Russ weren’t breaking her heart, mostly because none of them included a whisper of what they’d been to each other for one sweet, short summer.
“My mom and I are hitting the gym this afternoon,” I said. “Maybe you could come along and afterward, you and I can work on something for the tryout?”
“Let me ask,” she said. “I’ll get back to you at lunch.”
Company at the table was thin: just Cameron, Davina, Allison, and me. Russ’s lacrosse pals sat elsewhere, as if they sensed the dark cloud hovering over the Teflon crew. Since Russ had bound them together, now they’d separated into sub-cliques. Everyone was quiet, and after eating, I left, disturbed by the wreck Cameron had become. I understood his grief; in a short time he’d lost both his girlfriend and the person he’d thought was his best friend. A pang went through me at how I’d used Allison to deliver Russ’s barb about why they hung around with Cam.
“I’m with you,” Davina said, catching up as I hurried toward my locker. “I’m thinking we find a new table. I don’t even like anyone who’s left. Well, besides you.”
“Yeah. Sometimes you have to know when to let things go.”
If only I’d learned that lesson sooner. But the promise of revenge got me through the weeks after the bridge and by the time school started again, I had some distance. If I hadn’t cared about getting even, I might not have taken the deal. Is your life worth so many others? It was too heavy a question to carry, so I set it aside and crammed it inside the metaphysical crate in my head.
“My mom said we can hang out, by the way. But she wants yours to call her, just to confirm we’ll have parental supervision.”
“That’s what happens when you lie and go to New Hampshire instead of the library,” I said, imitating my dad.
“I’m well aware, trust me.”
Before I went to class, I texted Kian that I didn’t need a ride. I felt bad making him chauffeur me around when I had plans with other people, so I told him I’d be with Davina and my mom at the gym. He replied, I wouldn’t mind giving you and Davina a ride but it’s fine. I’ll move my stuff out of storage today instead.
That made me smile as I replied, Does that mean you’ll read me another poem?
Maybe.
When I put my phone away, Davina was smirking at me. “Girl, you so can’t get enough of what he got.”
“You learn that grammar at Blackbriar?”
“Obviously.”
I smiled at her. “See you after school.”
We met up at the gates; Davina arrived first and we took the T to my place. She soaked everything in with an interested look. “I can tell your parents are teachers.”
The jumble of science journals and notepads no longer registered on me, but to someone else, it probably looked messy. “Professors, actually. Physics.” I’d mentioned it before, but maybe it didn’t sink in.
“Damn. No wonder nobody can touch you in that class.”
Since I’d invited her at the last minute, she needed workout gear. My T-shirt and yoga pants were a little big on her, but since the point was to sweat, it didn’t matter. It was odd having her in my room—two worlds colliding—but she didn’t say anything about all my scientist posters or my piles of books. Relieved, I texted my mom: I’m on my way with Davina. Be there soon.
Okay. I’ll head over.
Introductions were awkward since my mom knew I went AWOL with Davina, but she fixed it with, “You must think I’m a bad influence, but I want you to know I’ll never ask Edie to do anything like that again. I hope you’ll give me another chance.”
Mom smiled. “Everyone makes mistakes, Davina, and yours was understandable. I’m glad to meet you.”
“Do you mind calling my mother to reassure her I’m with you?” She dialed and offered her cell with a sheepish look.
“Not a problem.” Mom waited for the call to connect, then said, “Hello, this is Mildred Kramer, Edie’s mom. I’m verifying that the girls are here. We’re working out this afternoon.” A pause. “Absolutely.”
Davina took the phone back. “I should be home by seven, latest. See you later.”
Faculty got a discount at the fitness and rec center, so my parents kept our membership active, though only my dad used it regularly. He said doing mindless reps helped him think through thorny problems. We bypassed the classes and went directly to the equipment, where we spent forty-five minutes sweating. Afterward, I felt good, loose and limber.
“Still up for choreographing a routine?” Davina asked.
“Absolutely.” That might be an overstatement, but I did promise.
After her shower, my mom watched us with an expression of bemusement. “Are you two in a talent competition?”
I laughed. “In my case, more like un-talent.”
“You’re not … horrible,” she said, probably trying to be supportive. “You just need practice. Davina has obviously put more time into … whatever you’re doing.”
“It’s for cheer tryouts,” Davina answered.
My mom froze, as if I had confessed to a secret meth addiction. “Is this true, Edith?”
“I’m not really trying to make the squad. I’m just going to support Davina.”
“Ah.” Apparently she could get behind feminine camaraderie. Mom sat down on a mat nearby and half watched us practice for another hour while tapping on her tablet.
By the end of that time, I was no better, but Davina seemed to have her routine down. We didn’t have any clothes to change into anyway, so I said, “We can go now if you want. Thai takeout for dinner?”
Mom nodded. “Pad thai sounds good.”
“I wish I could stay, but my folks are expecting me.” Shrugging, Davina made a what-can-you-do face.
Outside, I gave her a hug. “See you at school.”
“Do you want us to walk you to the station?” Mom asked.
Davina grinned. “I’ve been on the T by myself before, but thanks anyway.”
Since it was getting dark, my mom insisted. Davina seemed torn between appreciation and annoyance. At the subway steps, she merged into the throng of college students with a cheery wave. I talked my mom into a haircut on the way home and then I dragged her into a store that sold mineral makeup. I knew she wouldn’t stick to a complicated beauty regimen, but dusts and powders wouldn’t take long. All told, by the time we picked up the Thai food, it was pretty late, close to eight before we got home. It was also the most fun I could remember having with my mom in years.
“We have to do that again soon,” she said. “Saturday afternoon?”
“Definitely. I’ll show you how to use the stuff we bought, if you want.”