Shameful by May Dawson
9
Legacy
“That asshole toldme he’d talked to you!” Tania exploded.
“Relax,” I said, glancing around the classroom. Most people seemed to be ignoring my best friend’s fit right before American Gov. I usually looked forward to my one and only class with my best friend. “It’s reallyfine.”
“It’s not fine. I wouldn’t have abandonedyou!”
“I know you wouldn’t,” I said. “You didn’t. I was with Lucas.”
She snorted. I’d wanted to tell her about my complicated feelings about the night before, but now I felt I had to defend Lucas. I was trapped between the two ofthem.
“What did your mom say about you finding Lucas?” Tania asked more calmly.
I shrugged.
“It’s just what everyone expected,” Tania filled in forme.
“What did yourssay?”
“She was pretty unsurprised that I didn’t find anyone.” Tania crinkled hernose.
I thought the subject of Lucas sending her home the night before had blown over. But then when class ended, as we were packing our backpacks, she mused, “You know, you don’t have to be mated. He could bedead.”
I sighed in exasperation. “Okay, well, I’ve got a shift at the café. I’ll see you tonight?”
“You’re mad atme.”
“No,” I lied. I didn’t like feeling torn between people I cared for. Especially when those people could simply stop acting like dicks. I had a feeling Lucas and I were going to need a few come-to-Jesus meetings, for that matter.
I headed out toward the café, then stopped and turned back. I couldn’t stop seeing Tania’s crinkled-up face--a face she always made when she was pretending she didn’t care what people thought about her, especially her family of jerks.
I pushed back through the crowd until I reached her side. She gave me a surprisedlook.
“Everyone needs a ride-or-die bestie who will help them bury a body,” Isaid.
“Or help them make a body.” She was beginning to smile again.
“You’re a psycho but I loveyou.”
“You’re desperately in need of a little psycho to balance out your sweetness, but I love you too,” she sing-songedback.
Smiling, feeling better, I made my way down the sidewalks toward the café. It was a warm day and I didn’t mind the walk. Lucas had already asked if he could pick me up. Well, he’d told me he would pick me up. Still, the way he cared about me feltnice.
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly. The café was busy with students ordering coffee and studying.
It emptied out as the night wore on, closer to closing time. The café always felt cozy when darkness fell outside the big glass windows.
“My grandmother took a fall.” The owner, Linda, bustled in from the back. She glanced at the one table that was still occupied. “Do you mind locking up for me, Legacy?”
“No, of course not,” Isaid.
“You’re the best,” she said, although her face was still tight with worry. She slung her purse over her shoulder, dropped the keys on the counter, and dashedoff.
That meant I’d need to be here in the morning to open up. Before I could forget, I grabbed my phone so I could text and coordinate a ride for the schedule change. My parents were not let-me-buy-you-a-car-type parents, and I didn’t mind; I was slowly saving up for my dream car, a Mustang convertible. I’d rather wait on the perfect car than buy something lesser in a hurry. My folks were always willing to drive me, and Tania and I were pretty much inseparable anyway. I got by justfine.
Lucas texted me back right away. Of course, I’ll bring you. We need to talk about what your dream car istho.
Why? I texted back, unable to hide my smile.
My wife’s going to need acar.
Aren’t you getting ahead of yourself?
Nope. You’re going to be mine. You knowit.
I was grinning so hard it hurt when I heard the rustle of customers gettingup.
“Thanks for coming, have a good night!” I called, glancing up as the bells rang above the door. A brunette woman in a brown Han Solo vest and riding boots raised a hand in a goodbye as they stepped out into the night.
Someone caught the swinging door as theyleft.
Blondie stepped in. A greasy smile plastered itself across hisface.
“Hello, Legacy,” hesaid.