Page 103 of Finding a Melody
“What will he say if I ask him that?” I asked. “And don’t think I won’t. Because if he tells me to back off from you, I will. If he says you two are friends, then I’ll accept it. So, as a friend of the quiet, sweet guy, what do you think he’ll say?”
That seemed to leave her speechless because we both knew the truth. She wasn’t a friend of his.
“I like Justin,” she finally said.
“Good for you. Ask him out.” I shrugged. “Me being in the picture doesn’t change anything. He’s been here since freshman year. Ask him out.”
“But you—”
“Am friends with him. Paxon’s friends with him too. Why aren’t you trying to corner him about it? Or Toby? Bryan too? Why suddenly is it an issue that he has a friend? Because I’m a girl? Are we seriously still living in medieval times? Should I only wear a dress that covers my ankles and gloves on my hands.”
Paxon snorted. “I think British lit is getting to you.”
“I’m just tired of this bullshit.”
Sighing, Paxon turned to the two girls. “She’s not wrong. We’re friends. Cadence had no trouble approaching us and this is the result. I know who you two are. I’ve seen you at Justin’s swim practices. And I know you’ve never approached him or shared that you’re interested in him. Maybe try telling him instead of cornering our friend and blaming your own faults on her. This is underhanded, and frankly, destroys any chances you would have had.” Paxon grabbed my books, closed my locker, and pulled me away from them.
Paxon didn’t say anything until the halls cleared and we were almost to the library. “I can’t believe they did that. Have you been getting cornered because of us?”
“Not too much,” I said.
His eyes widened and he glanced at me. “This happened before?”
“Girl’s locker room.”
“Jesus. That’s messed up.” He went to run a hand through his hair but remembered he was wearing a dark gray beanie. He dropped his hand to his side and glared hard in front of us. “What is with them? You’re right. We aren’t new people. We have always been here. And sure we had relationships, but nothing recent. None of them tried to approach us.”
“And then I’m here, hanging out with all of you. They’re jealous.” I squeezed his hand. “It’s fine. They’ll get over themselves.”
“Still. It’s bullshit that you have to deal with this at all. It’s so ridiculous, like out of some mean girl movie drama.”
I snorted. “Well, not to that degree. I don’t have anyone trying to steal all my clothes after gym, or dump water on me while I’m in the bathroom.”
“Don’t give them ideas,” he snapped out.
“This school cracks down so hard on bullying that confrontations like that are all I’m ever going to face. And I’m close with the principal. If anyone tries anything, she’ll be sure to take care of it.”
“Principal Calgary is scary.” He shuddered, having to deal with her when he got suspended.
I laughed. She definitely was when she wanted to be.
“Speaking of relationships,” I said. “How the hell are none of you dating anyone? I’m pretty sure you’re all popular.”
Paxon glanced at me briefly before skirting us around a group of girls. “Just hasn’t been anyone we wanted to date. How about you?” His cheeks grew red. “How do you not have a boyfriend?”
I huffed. “I’m not girlfriend material.”
“I disagree. You are perfect girlfriend material.”
That got a laugh out of me. “And what is perfect girlfriend material?”
That really got his face red, but I wasn’t going to back down. For some reason, my stomach was fluttering as I waited for his response, my body growing warm.
Paxon drew in a deep breath. “You’re gorgeous, Cadence. And you’re warm. Friendly. Attentive. Nice. Caring. Funny. Smart. You’re more of a catch than any of us will ever be.”
Now it was my turn to be embarrassed as I looked away from him.
“I never thought about it,” I said. “There’s no room in my life for dating. I can’t even say for sure if it’s something I want to do. I guess I do, like anyone else, but I can’t imagine it.”