Breaking Her Bad by Michelle Mankin
Claire
“Why did you do this to me?” My chest heaving, I sobbed. Even with Missy and Tommy on either side of me, I felt bereft after Kyle stalked away.
“I’m sorry.” As Missy refastened the bracelet around my wrist, her blue eyes brimmed with regret.
“I apologize too.” Tommy crossed his arms over his chest. With his feet planted wide apart, he formed a formidable blockade. Students avoided him and us as they rushed through the hall on their way to their next class.
“What did you hope to accomplish,” I asked, a warm tear spilling down my cheek.
Missy frowned. “To force him to acknowledge he has feelings for you.”
“He just feels sorry for me.” I turned my head, searching for Kyle’s head above the crowd, but he was gone. I knew in my heart that he’d never been farther from reach than he was now.
“Sorry isn’t just what he feels,” Missy said softly, exchanging a glance with Tommy.
He nodded. “She’s right.”
“How can you say that after all that he’s done? All that he’s said?”
Missy pressed her lips into a flat line. “There are some things about Kyle you don’t know.”
“That you know and haven’t told me?” I narrowed my gaze.
“Only because it’s not my truth to tell.” Cupping my cheeks, she gently swiped the wetness away with her thumbs.
Tommy sighed loudly enough to be heard over the hallway noise. “We hoped if we put you two together, he might tell you.”
My shoulders dropped. “I don’t think he wants me to understand anything except that us being together was a one-time thing.” In that, he’d been consistent from the beginning. “I told him we should just forget it altogether. So, that’s what I’m going to do.”
“Kyle’s not going to forget you.” Tommy’s voice rumbled like thunder. “I’ve never seen a guy so tunnel-visioned about one girl. Except Chad.” He gave Missy a pointed glance, and she dropped her gaze. “And maybe my pop.”
“Who’s your dad hung up on?” Missy lifted her head, probably attempting to redirect the conversation away from the thorny subject of her and Chad.
“Not for me to say.” Tommy shook his head, and a few black strands escaped the elastic band at his nape. “But when he makes his move, and he will, all will become clear. He didn’t return to Southside just to open up Pho B.”
Missy nodded toward the boys’ restroom. “So, what happened in there?”
“Not a lot of talking.”
“Oh.” Her eyes rounded. “Did he kiss you?”
“Almost.”
She tipped her head to the side. “I’m surprised he wasn’t successful.”
“I stopped him.”
She snorted. “I’m surprised you were able to.”
“I’m not. He’s always respected my wishes.”
But not granted them. Not since the treehouse.
“Just your wishes, honey.” Missy tapped her chin. “He’s different with you. Different since he was with you. Let me spell it out.”
She held up her hand.
“A, he hasn’t been with anyone since you.” She unfolded her thumb. “B, he watches you all the time. C, your well-being is nearly the sole focus of every decision he makes and action he takes. And D, as mad as he was right now, what did he tell me to do before he took off?”
“To take care of me,” I whispered. My words lingered in the now deserted halls.
“I told you caring looks different in Southside.”
“Protecting and sacrifice.” I nodded at her. “I remember. “
“Missy’s right.” Tommy stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Kyle risked upsetting alliances when he went to Jorge about your bracelet.”
“He risked getting cut by a blade,” Missy said. “His risked his boss’s wrath.”
“But the biggest sacrifice he made was giving you up.” Tommy tapped his chest. “He made that choice on the first day of school when he saw you with Belinda. He did it two weeks ago when he gave me your bracelet and told me I was free to make a play for you.”
I made a face. “It’s not like that with us. You had no play.”
“I know that.” Tommy narrowed his eyes. “But Kyle didn’t, and my being unappealing to you isn’t because I’m not attractive as hell, or because we’re only friends.”
Missy shook her head at me. “It’s because you still care about Kyle. And he cares about you, Claire. A guy doesn’t try to kiss a girl because he feels sorry for her.” She looked at Tommy. “Right?”
“Guys only kiss girls they think are hot.”
Missy rolled her eyes at him. “Not helping.”
“Speaking of helping . . .” Tommy gestured. “I need to get you two to your next class.”
“Right.” Missy nodded, then turned to retrieve the backpack she’d left on the floor.
Once I had mine, we linked arms and followed Tommy.
As we walked through the hall, I mulled over what Tommy and Missy had said. They gave me insight I hadn’t had before. I didn’t know what to do with that insight, but I knew I was going to do something.
Glancing at Missy beside me, then staring ahead at Tommy who led the way through the corridor, I felt warmth bloom inside me, replacing the chill.
I still missed my dad. It still was difficult being a new girl in a strange place. I still didn’t like how things operated in Southside. But it no longer felt overwhelming. It made all the difference in the world to have two people who cared about me.
And maybe, just maybe, if my friends were right, there might be one more.