***
Toby and I decide to confront Meredith during fifth period. She has study hall too, just not with me. I sneak out after Mrs. Engleberg nods off and text Toby.
Becca: Ready?
Toby: Yes and no.
Becca: Get Meredith. Say whatever you need to get her to the stage. I’ll meet you there.
Toby: Wish me luck.
Becca: Good luck.
He’s going to try to appeal to the part of Meredith that once cared about him. He’s texting her to meet him in our spot. We both figured she’d like that. I’m going to hide in the wings and watch. I’m pretty much backup if Toby can’t get through to her. I’m hoping he doesn’t need me to convince her because my tactics aren’t going to be pretty.
When I get to the stage, I hide to the side where there are plenty of shadows, but I’ll be able to see and hear everything. It feels like an eternity before Toby shows up. I can tell he’s nervous by the way he keeps squeezing his hands into fists. I want to tell him to relax, but I’m too afraid to say anything since I don’t know where Meredith is, or if she’s even going to show.
Toby texts me and briefly glances in my direction.
Toby: She said she’s coming.
Becca: Good. We’re going to convince her.
Toby: I love you.
Becca: I love you too.
Meredith walks backstage. “What do you want, Toby?”
“We need to talk.” His voice shakes.
“If you’re thinking of trying to change my mind, you’re wasting your time.”
“You know it’s a lie. Why would you do this? I thought you cared about me. At one point, I know you did.” He steps closer to her, and the desperation in his voice breaks my heart.
“That was a long time ago. Before you dumped me for that nobody.”
I take a deep breath to keep from rushing out there and showing her just how much of a somebody I really am.
“Don’t talk about her like that. You don’t get to say anything about her. Just leave her out of it.”
“She won’t be left out when this all goes down. You know that, right? It’s not just my life you tried to ruin. You’re ruining hers too.”
“No.” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but I can’t help it. It just comes out. I step out of the shadows and toward Meredith. “You’re doing this. You ruined your own reputation when you made Toby pretend to date you again. You’re trying to ruin his life now with this blatant lie. And if I go down with him that will be your doing too.”
“I’m pretty sure I can live with that.” She crosses her arms, not caring at all that she’s hurting either one of us.
“And what are you going to do when we prove you’re lying? Everyone will hate you. No guy will date you after a lie like that. You’re going to be ruining your own life too.”
She lowers her arms. “And how are you going to prove I’m lying? It’s my word against his. You weren’t there, Becca. You have no idea. I’m surprised you’d date a guy who’d force a girl to sleep with him and then kick her to the curb anyway.”
“I didn’t do that. You came on to me!” Toby’s shaking. He’s not just pissed; he’s terrified. “I never even brought up sex. You did. And I turned you down three times before…” He looks at me and stops, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t want the details. I don’t need them. I already know Meredith is the one who’s lying.
“Tell yourself what you’d like. Whatever you need to do to sleep better at night.” She turns and tries to walk away, but I grab her arm.
“Wait!”
She glares at my hand on her. “Get your hand off me before I get you suspended.” I lower my hand because I know she’ll do it. “Look at you two.” She scoffs. “You’re perfect for each other.”
For once I agree with her. “Get out of here. There’s obviously no reasoning with you. You’ve completely lost your mind.”
“And you’re about to lose everything.” She walks off the stage, and I go to Toby. He’s shattered. I can see it in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come out and attacked her like that. I just couldn’t stand there anymore and listen to her…Ugh!” I want to scream. I want to ram my fist straight into a wall. No, straight into Meredith’s face.
“It’s not your fault. She wasn’t going to listen to me anyway. It’s over.”
I grab his hand. “No, it’s not. We still have time. It’s only Tuesday. We have until last period on Friday. We’re not giving up yet.”
“I wish Tori was on our side. She’s the only one who’s ever stood up to Meredith.” His mouth curves into a small, weak smile. “Well, other than when you shoved a wet dishtowel in her mouth and dragged her up the steps.”
“Want me to gag and hog-tie her until after graduation?” It’s a really bad attempt at lightening the mood, but I don’t know what else to do. I’m trying to remain optimistic, but the truth is, I’m pretty much as shot as Toby. Things look worse than bad.
He gives a feeble attempt at a shrug. “Maybe I should talk to Tori. She might be able to stop Meredith.”
“Tori isn’t going to listen to either one of us right now. She’s majorly pissed, and rightfully so.”
“Then I’m screwed.” He steps through the curtain and sits down on the edge of the stage. We always stay hidden in case the security cop walks through, but today, that doesn’t seem to matter much. I sit down next to him.
“We’ll talk to Tori. Together.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He looks away, and I can only imagine what Tori’s been saying about me behind my back.
“Go ahead. You can tell me.”
“This is coming from Jeff. He’s the only one still talking to me after Tori told everyone what we did. Even Ryder’s keeping his distance—though I’m sure that’s because Tori’s making him.”
It’s amazing how quickly Tori’s risen to the top. I’d think Meredith would be too busy trying to fight Tori for control of the school to mess with Toby and me, but maybe that’s exactly it. Maybe she doesn’t think she can fight Tori, and this is the only way to get people to like her better. By pitying her. By sympathizing with her. It’s completely twisted and sick, which means it must be exactly what she’s doing.
“Did you change your mind about wanting to know?”
I nod. It doesn’t matter what Tori’s saying. She has the right to be mad, to lash out. “Meredith is scared of Tori. Think about it. Tori’s gotten too powerful in this school. She’s dating Ryder, who is still ‘big man on campus’ even if he isn’t playing baseball this year.”
“Meredith definitely lost points after Tori told everyone about us. She gets the sympathy vote for being cheated on—even though that’s not at all how it really went down. But still. She’s not the one on top anymore.”
“No, she’s not, so we have to go above her.” I have to beg for Tori’s forgiveness, and then somehow get her to do me a favor afterwards. I’m so screwed.
Chapter Twenty-Seven