The Summer After You and Me by Doktorski Jennifer Salvato

Author:Doktorski, Jennifer Salvato [Doktorski, Jennifer Salvato]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, mobi
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Published: 2015-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

“Love hurts. Having a thick skin can be very useful for enduring the ups and downs of relationships. Female blue sharks should know. Their skin is three times thicker than males’, a trait critical for a female to survive bites from her mate during copulation.”

From “What’s Love Got to Do with It? The Dating and Mating Habits of North American Sea Life.” A junior thesis by Lucy Giordano.

I spent the forty-eight hours after prom holed up in my room and driving myself insane listening to the various comings and goings of those who would not speak to me (Liam and my friends), those I could not be seen speaking to (Connor), and those to whom I had nothing to say (my parents).

There was the slamming of doors. The jangling of keys. The crunch of footsteps on stones. The smell of coffee brewing. The rise and fall of murmuring voices. The sun rising and setting against my closed window shade without me ever venturing outside. I timed my movements with the sound of absolute silence, choosing to eat in my room. I barely changed out of my pajamas. It felt like I had the flu.

Throughout the weekend, Connor was in regular contact. Or tried to be. I wanted to be alone and didn’t answer his every text or call. He wanted to see me before he left for home, but I told him it wasn’t a good idea. By Sunday night, I looked like I had the flu. More importantly, he had a girlfriend, and I had several relationships that needed repairing.

I hadn’t heard from any of my friends except Kiki who texted me on Saturday morning, after prom. Thanks for ruining my night. She was with my brother and he didn’t get home until 5:00 a.m. (What happened to that curfew, Mom?), so how awful could it have been? I thought at the very least Andrew would have called to apologize or argue some more. Why would he let us go without a fight?

I found out this morning at school.

“Andrew thinks you cheated on him with Connor,” Meghan says while I’m at my locker getting ready to begin the last full week of school.

“Hello to you too.” I slam my locker shut and face her. I’m kind of pissed at her for calling my mom, though I know I have no right to be. I wasn’t answering my texts, and I know she did it because she cares. Just like I know she’s standing here right now for the same reason.

“Look, Luce, I don’t want to judge, and you don’t owe me an answer, but you should talk to Andrew.”

“I would have if he called this weekend.”

“The phone works both ways.”

“How did he become the victim here? He’s the one who got the lap dance.”

“You left prom with another guy.”

“Who told you?”

“Who do you think? Liam. I gather it wasn’t exactly a secret at your house.”

“Connor gave me a ride. Nothing happened.” Technically, it’s true, but I know in my heart it’s more complicated than that.

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