Hearts Made for Breaking by Jen Klein

Author:Jen Klein
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2019-04-29T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

I briefly consider not going to the cafeteria at lunch, just to make Ardy wonder where I am, but then I remember what he said about not knowing what the rules are. Hiding out would be a deliberate attempt to confuse him, to keep him on his toes, and I don’t want that. It all began with that stupid game, but now that I’m in it, I don’t want to play games.

Besides, if I didn’t go to the cafeteria, I wouldn’t see Ardy.

And all I want is to see Ardy.

As usual when I arrive, Ardy and #Heaven are already seated. I plop down and everyone smiles at me, but Ardy doesn’t make any extra movement in my direction. It again makes me wonder what Hope knows about us. I mean, if he’s willing to be so open with all the public displays of affection in the hallway, surely that means Hope’s got a clue, right? But as we engage in our traditional griping about the food, she doesn’t give me any sort of nudge-nudge or wink-wink.

“By the way, congratulations,” Evan says to me. “On hosting the Not-Prom. Your parents must be happy.”

“I don’t know if congratulations are in order, but thanks.” I don’t share the story about my parents’ warfare this weekend. It started with the Not-Prom but somehow devolved into a screaming fight about something from when they started dating in high school.

So, y’know…relevant.

Next to me, Ardy sets his spinach wrap down and lowers his right hand beneath the table. It floats onto my leg, just above my knee, barely touching. Almost hovering. I take a mini-scoot toward him, letting him know that his touch is welcomed. The slight weight of his hand increases, and his thumb moves in tiny circles against the outer edge of my knee. He’s very discreet, and what he’s doing is not at all obvious to anyone else, but it drives every other thought out of my mind. Which becomes obvious when I hear Hope say my name and I suddenly realize it’s not the first time.

“Lark? Hello?”

“Sorry.” I shift my focus to her. Or at least I try to. “What?”

“Will everything be open at Wheelz? Unlimited driving and arcade games?”

“I don’t know. Probably?”

“Hey, guys.” It’s Wade Collins, looming over our table. “You know why I’m here, right?”

Since my last interaction with Wade was yesterday, when I interrupted him and Keeshana under the stairwell, I have no idea.

“Doing my team duty,” Wade continues. “Encouraging you all to come to the soccer game on Friday.” Oh, right. That. The sportsball players are constantly trying to drum up support for their teams. “We’re playing Verdugo High,” he says. “It’s a big one for us.”

Hope looks at me—“Do you want to go?”—and I remember that I’m supposed to spend the night with her on Friday. If we go to the game first, maybe Ardy will come, too.

“Okay.” I look at Wade. “We can do that.”

“Thanks, Lark.” He beams down at me. “You always were cool.

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