Beautiful Broken Things(Beautiful Broken Things #1)(7)

I leaned over, grabbed the last wrap and handed it to her. A girl behind us let out a groan.

‘It makes sense to me,’ I said.

‘Oh, not you too.’ Kesh looked disappointed. ‘You’re supposed to have standards and force them on the rest of us.’

I rolled my eyes. Two years ago I’d refused the weed offered to me at Kesh’s birthday party and had made sure none of my other friends smoked any. That had been during my pious phase and I probably wouldn’t say no now, but none of them had ever let me forget it. I had become the moral one, and it was a reputation I couldn’t figure out how to shake off.

‘I’d take anyone who showed any interest in me,’ I said. ‘I’ll start having standards when I’m lucky enough to have choices.’

‘Exactly,’ Mishka said. ‘Thank you, Caddy.’

‘You’re all crazy,’ Kesh declared.

‘Excuse me, I’m not crazy,’ Allison said. She’d been with her boyfriend for almost two years, and usually listened to these kinds of conversations with an annoying smile on her face.

‘Well, can you tell Mish that she shouldn’t waste time on little boys like Ty?’ Kesh said, taking a bottle of water from the cabinet.

‘Is that all you’re having for lunch?’ Allison asked instead, pointing at the side salad, which was the only other thing on her tray.

‘You know what,’ Mishka said quickly, when Kesh’s face dropped ominously, ‘you’re probably right. Maybe Ty is a waste of time. But that’s fine with me for now, OK?’

‘Speaking of wasting time,’ Allison said brightly, ‘do you guys have plans this Friday? We could go to the cinema.’

‘I’m seeing Rosie,’ I said.

‘Of course you are.’ Allison made a face. ‘What about you two?’

They made plans together as I dug my fork into my spaghetti. I’d never felt much like I was missing out when they spent social time together without me. Rosie had been around long before they’d entered my life, and I knew she’d be there after they’d left it. That was the security of a best friend, and that meant everything.

On Thursday, ten minutes before her 9 p.m. phone curfew, Rosie called. ‘Hey!’ she said when I took the phone from my mother. ‘Just a quick one.’

‘Hey,’ I said. ‘How are—’

‘Can’t talk long,’ Rosie interrupted. ‘Just wanted to tell you there’s a change of plans for tomorrow night. Luke’s parents are away for the weekend so he’s having a party. Me and Suze are going, and she’s going to stay at mine after.’

‘Oh,’ I said.

‘I’ll see you on Saturday evening maybe? Or Sunday?’

‘OK. Um, who’s Luke?’

‘From our form. His brother is in the sixth form, so it should be amazing.’ She sounded giddy.

‘I thought you hated those kinds of things.’

‘No, you’re thinking of you.’ Ouch. ‘There’ll be alcohol, so it’ll be fine. Hey, you want to come? You should come!’

‘I won’t know anyone.’ I’d tried going to parties with Rosie’s friends in the past, and it hadn’t exactly gone well. I was too anxious and awkward around people I didn’t know, and so usually ended up trailing after Rosie for the whole night. It was not fun for either of us. She hardly ever asked me any more.

‘You mean except me, Suze and all my other friends you’ve met loads of times before?’

‘I’ve got Service on Saturday morning,’ I said, referring to a compulsory Esther’s community-service initiative and feeling a jolt of relief for having come up with a legitimate excuse. ‘I can’t really turn up hungover.’

‘So don’t drink.’

‘Roz.’ As if.

‘OK, OK. Are you sure? It’ll be fun. Plus, how do you think you’re going to get a boyfriend sitting at home?’

That’s the downside of telling your best friend everything. They remember it. ‘Maybe next time.’

‘Are you OK? Are you pissed off?’

‘No, it’s fine.’ I’ll just watch TV with my parents.

‘Hey, how about you come round to mine after school tomorrow while we get ready? We’ll order pizza, and we won’t be leaving till about nine, so . . .’

A pity invite.

‘Um, maybe. I’ll think about it.’

‘Think about it quickly. I’ve literally got about a minute left.’

Pity pizza versus TV with my parents.

‘OK, sure,’ I said finally, already regretting it.

‘Great, come here at about five. Hey, go with Suze! Her aunt is driving her, and I bet she’ll pick you up. I’ll tell her.’

‘Wait—’

‘OK, time’s up. See you tomorrow! Bye!’

For all Rosie had said about them getting ready together, Suzanne was already dressed to the nines when she and her aunt Sarah picked me up. I was wearing a hoodie and black capris, and I eased into the back seat feeling foolish and plain.

‘You look nice,’ I said to her.

Suzanne turned in her seat and beamed at me, her fingers on the headrest. ‘Thanks!’ The seat belt strained at her shoulder. ‘Did you change your mind yet?’