The Romeo Club

I snorted. “The only thing you knew about her when we started this was that she’s pretty. You didn’t know her favorite color. You didn’t know her favorite flower. Hell, you didn’t even know who her best friend is. Or let’s talk about the fact that any information you found out about her was because I told you. How can you “love” someone you don’t even know? If it wasn’t for my help you wouldn’t have even had a chance with her. You. Paid. Me. To help you land her.”

A gasp sounded behind us. Oh shit. I spun to find Portia standing there.

“You paid her?” Her lip quivered as she stared at Trey.

“It’s not what you think.”

“I-I can’t believe you did that.” She turned and rushed down the hall.

Trey glared at me. “See what you’ve done? You ruined everything.” He raced after Portia.

My biggest fear just came true. I’d screwed up everything. It felt like I’d swallowed a boulder. I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor, tears streaming down my cheeks. Why hadn’t I opened my eyes sooner? Why didn’t I realize how much Trey meant to me until it was too late?

I rubbed my eyes with the backs of my hands. My stomach churned. This isn’t how things are supposed to be. I’d lost Trey. Not just a potential boyfriend, but one of my best friends. I should’ve kept my mouth shut. I should’ve—well, done things different. Too late for that now.

The halls emptied for lunch. But I sat there for long minutes before deciding to go to the office. When I got there, the secretary looked up.

“Delyla, can I help you?”

“Can I use the phone to call my mom? I’m not feeling so well.”

She nodded at the large, black archaic phone sitting on the counter. “Dial nine to get an outside line.”

When Mom picked up, it was all I could do not to break down crying. “Hey, Mom, I’m sick. Could you come and get me?”

“Are you okay?” she said.

“My-my stomach hurts.” And so does my head. But most of all, my heart.

“I’ll be right there.”

Once she signed me out at school, we headed home. We didn’t talk on the car ride, but Mom kept glancing at me out of the corner of her eye. When we got to the house, I went right to my room and flopped down on my bed. My shoulders shook as I sobbed.

I never should’ve opened my mouth. Trey would probably never talk to me again. Not only that, but I’d hurt Portia’s feelings too. Things were so screwed up. I squished my teddy bear against my chest and buried my face in its fur.

Mom knocked on my door and I wiped my eyes on my stuffed animal. “I brought you some tea.”

She sat down on the edge of my bed, handing me the cup of steaming liquid. I took it from her and she brushed strands of hair from my face. “Do you want to talk?”

I took a sip of tea then set the cup on my nightstand. “Boys are stupid.”

“Yeah, they can be.” She chuckled. “I’ve got years of knowledge in this department.”

“Are you calling Dad stupid?”

“Sometimes.” She smirked. “But mostly, the guys who came before him.”

“I hurt so bad,” I whispered.

Mom lifted my comforter and climbed into bed next to me. She tugged me into her arms, then rubbed my hair. “I know.”

I curled up against her and told her about Rex and Trey and Portia. And I even broke my promise and talked about the Romeo Club. “Now, Trey will probably hate me forever.”

“Oh, honey.” She kissed my head. “He’ll come around. This is a big shock for him. But he’s a nice boy. And if he decides not to be your friend, then he’s not the person you thought he was. You’re so beautiful and talented. Someday the right boy will come along. Maybe it’ll be Trey, maybe it won’t. But don’t be in such a hurry to settle down or grow up. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. You’ve got soccer and school, not to mention after next year, you’ll be picking a college.”

“But it’s hard.”

“Yes, it is. But you’re strong. And you’ve got great friends. You’ll get through this. I promise.”

I hiccupped, and laid my head on her shoulder. The familiar scent of her perfume wrapped around me like a warm hug. It comforted me. Maybe she was right. But right, now, I couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.

***

Sometime later, I woke up to the sound of my cell buzzing on the back of my headboard. I must’ve dozed off. My eyes were crusty from crying earlier. My throat raw. With a sigh, I scooted up and grabbed my phone.

“Hello?”

“Del? What’s going on? I went to find you after lunch, but you weren’t there,” Kenadi said.

My eyes welled again. “Trey doesn’t like me back.”

“I’m so sorry. Listen, I’ll be right there.”

“What about soccer practice?”

“Screw it. My girl needs me,” Ken said. “Be there soon.”

Fifteen minutes later Kenadi showed up armed with ice cream, chick flicks, and her overnight bag.

“Hi,” I said.

She set her stuff down and hugged me. “This totally sucks.”

“S’okay.”

She released me, grabbed the half gallon of double chocolate fudge ice cream from my desk, along with two spoons. She popped the top open and handed me one of the utensils.

“So, what happened?”