Night Road(22)

*

Lexi didn’t go to school on Monday. How could she face either Zach or Mia after what had happened?

By Monday night, though (and he hadn’t called, of course he hadn’t, why would she think he would?), Eva had threatened to make a doctor’s appointment—something they definitely couldn’t afford.

So, on Tuesday, Lexi went back to school. Out at the bus stop, she huddled under the narrow shelter’s overhang, watching rain turn the world into a blue and green kaleidoscope.

She would just be cool.

She’d smile casually at Zach and keep walking, as if the kiss meant nothing. She wasn’t a complete idiot. It had just been a kiss from a boy who kissed girls all the time. Lexi couldn’t let it mean anything to her.

At school, she easily avoided Zach—they hardly moved in the same social circles—but there was no way to avoid Mia. Their lives were too braided together. After the last bell, Mia walked Lexi to work.

All the way downtown, Lexi kept a smile on her face as she listened to Mia’s dance play-by-play. Again. But the word liar screamed through her mind over and over, and every time she looked at her best friend, she felt sick to her stomach.

“We made out. Did I tell you that?” Mia said.

“Only about a million times.” Lexi stopped in front of Amoré, where a sweet, vanilla-scented air enveloped them. She meant to just say later and go inside, but instead she paused. “What was it like?”

“At first I thought his tongue was kinda slippery and gross, but I got used to it.”

“Did you cry?”

“Cry?” Mia looked confused, then nervous. “Should I have cried?”

Lexi shrugged. “What do I know about kissing?”

Mia frowned at Lexi. “You’re acting weird. Did something happen at the dance?”

“Wh-what could have happened?”

“I don’t know. Something with Zach, maybe?”

Lexi hated herself; she wanted to tell the truth, but the thought of losing Mia’s friendship terrified her. And what would be the point, really? It had just been a single kiss, not the start of anything. “No, of course not. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.”

“Okay,” Mia said, believing her. And that just made Lexi feel worse. “Later.”

Lexi walked into the ice cream shop. It was brightly lit, with a long glass and chrome ice cream counter and a small area that contained a few tables and chairs. In the warmer months, this place was hopping busy, but now, in mid-October, business was pretty slow.

Her boss, Mrs. Solter, was standing at the register when Lexi walked in. A bell tinkled over the door at her entrance.

“Hey, Lexi,” Mrs. Solter said brightly. “How was your dance?”

Lexi forced a smile. “Great. Here. I brought you some necklaces.” She held out the Mardi Gras beads from the dance. Mrs. Solter lit up at the sight of them and swooped in like a magpie for the shiny necklaces.

“Thank you, Lexi. That was thoughtful of you.” Mrs. Solter immediately put all the necklaces around her neck.

Lexi spent the rest of the day and into the evening waiting on customers. At nine o’clock, when business had slowed down to almost nothing, she set about cleaning the counters and getting ready to close up. She was coming out of the back room, carrying a container of Windex and a soggy rag, when Zach walked into the shop.

The bell tinkled gaily above him; she could barely hear it over the sudden acceleration of her heartbeat.

He never came here alone. Amanda was always with him, hanging on to him like that Louisiana moss you saw in horror flicks. Lexi slipped behind the counter so there was something between them.

“Hi,” he said, moving toward her.

“Hi. You … want ice cream?”

He looked at her intently. “Meet me at LaRiviere Park tonight.”

Before she could answer, the bell tinkled again and the door flew open. Amanda rushed into the shop and sidled up to Zach, putting her tentacle-arm around him. “Hey, Lexi. Thanks for keeping an eye on Zach for me. At the dance, I mean.”

Lexi couldn’t smile, even though she wanted to. “You want ice cream?”

“No way. It’s too fattening,” Amanda said. “Come on, Zach. Let’s go.” She moved toward the door.

Zach stayed where he was. Ten o’clock, he mouthed. Please.

Lexi’s heart was pounding as she watched him follow his girlfriend out of the shop.

Ten.

She would be an idiot to think he really meant for her to meet him at the beach. He was dating Amanda, the human Post-it note. They were the most popular couple in school.

And it would hurt Mia if she found out. A kiss at the dance was one thing, almost understandable even, ordinary. This—sneaking out to be with him—would be something else. A bigger lie.

Lexi couldn’t do it. Shouldn’t do it.

She glanced over at her boss. Don’t do it, Lexi. “Uh, Mrs. Solter? I was wondering if I could leave a few minutes early. Maybe nine-fifty?”

“I’m sure I can handle closing up by myself,” she said. “Hot date?”

Lexi hoped her laughter didn’t sound as nervous as it felt. “When have you ever known me to have a hot date?”

“Those boys at your school must be blind, that’s all I’m saying.”