Perfect for You(47)

“I know a better way.” Emma loops her arm through mine and pulls me in the opposite direction. She stays a half step ahead and is looking through the crowd of faces. She’s looking for Ash. She doesn’t want me to bump into him. Is this her idea or Noah’s? And are they trying to help me, or are they trying to keep me from being around the one person standing in the way of me getting closer to Noah? Ash is still at his locker. I can just see the top of his head over the crowd.

“You know, I could use a touch up and so could you.” Emma pulls me into the bathroom. “Making out with Noah before class, I see.” She smiles, but it doesn’t distract me from the real purpose of this bathroom break. She doesn’t want me around Ash.

“You can’t protect me from him.”

“From who? Noah? You don’t need protection from him. He—”

“I’m talking about Ash.” I fix my hair in the mirror to have something to do other than look at Emma. “I can handle seeing him. I’m going to have to. You really don’t have to walk me to my classes today. Tell Noah I’m a big girl and I’ll be fine on my own.”

“But—”

“Have a good day, Emma.” I turn and walk out. She’s right on my heels.

“Meg.” She grabs my arm. “He’s worried.” So is she. About Noah.

“Do you like him?”

Her eyes widen. “What? God, no.” She lowers her voice. “He’s my cousin.”

“Your cousin? Really?” I keep my voice low since this doesn’t seem like something she wants anyone to overhear.

“Yeah. I was a nobody until Noah told people to hang out with me. We don’t tell anyone we’re cousins because it would be like I’m popular by relation and nothing else. Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

I nod, but I can’t help wondering what else I don’t know about Noah.

“Don’t blame him. I asked him not to tell people. He really cares about you, Meg. A lot. I’ve never seen him like this. He wants to put Ash behind you guys. You won’t regret being with him. I promise.” Her eyes are pleading with me. “Please, stay away from Ash. Don’t talk to him.”

I thought Emma was trying to keep me from seeing Ash and bringing up hurt feelings. But she’s worried I’ll talk to Ash. I can’t help wondering if Liz really is absent. Could they have broken up? Is that why Emma doesn’t want me talking to Ash? So I don’t find out he’s not with Liz anymore?

“Meg?” Emma reaches for my arm. “You’re not still in love with him, are you?”

If I answer that, she’ll tell Noah, and then I’ll lose him for good. I’m not sure how I feel right now; if Ash being single would even change anything. “I’m with Noah.”

“Okay, good.” Good thing Noah didn’t send Lindsey to watch me because I know she wouldn’t let me off this easily.

I let Emma walk me to class to avoid any more uncomfortable conversations. She smiles at me and says she’ll meet me here after class. This is going to get annoying really fast. I step inside and watch Emma walk away. Liz comes down the hall, her eyes red and puffy. I know that look. I’ve had that look. Ash broke up with her. My stomach clenches. I don’t really feel sorry for Liz. I feel…I’m not sure. I’m just glad Ash isn’t at his locker, which is visible from my class. If he was, I might run over to him, looking for answers.

Maybe Noah does have a good reason for having Emma watch me while he’s at student council.

***

My head is a mess by the time I get to photography. Grayson is sitting with Leanne and the two of them are talking like they’re…well, like they’re best friends now. I can’t blame Gray for getting close to Leanne, but I want to be the one who’s there for her. I want to be her best friend again. Once the class is left to work on our projects, I walk over to her.

“Hey, Gray.”

She looks up briefly. “Hey.” Her eyes go back to the pictures laid out in front of her on the table.

“Can we talk?”

“I thought we tried that Friday night.”

“Gray.” How can she throw away years of friendship just like that? “Please. I don’t want to lose you.”

Leanne gathers her photos and stands up. “You should’ve thought about that before you dumped her for some guy, Meg.”

“Could you stay out of this, please?” I don’t want to get in a fight with Leanne, but I can’t have her making things worse either. “I want to talk to Gray.” I look at Grayson, my eyes pleading with her.

She sighs. “Fine. Let’s go to the bathroom. I don’t want to talk here.”

I nod and motion for the door. Mr. Crisman doesn’t make us ask to use the restroom. I follow Grayson into the bathroom right by our classroom. She stands in front of the mirror, fixing her hair and ignoring me.

“Grayson, why are you so mad at me?” Might as well jump right in.

“Because you’re acting like an idiot!” Her face turns red, and her hands are balled into fists at her sides. “Ash didn’t cheat on you. He only started dating Liz because you decided you weren’t interested in him anymore.”

No, that can’t be true. “He liked her while we were still together. I know he did.”