So he couldn't go to a community college, but I could?
He had dreams, and I didn't?
I was so angry I almost laughed.
“You seem awfully confident. Sure Graystone's going to accept you?”
Darrell let out a smug little chuckle.
“I scored second in the entire city on the SATs. If they don't take me, who would they take?”
I said nothing.
I had no intention of telling him I'd also applied to Graystone.
Just like he never told me he'd changed my college applications to a community college.
“Anyway, gotta go. Dorothy Butler made a rule that our phone calls can't last more than a minute, or she throws a fit.”
“Oh, hey, come downstairs. I'll buy you an ice cream cone as an apology.”
“Two bucks. Pretty generous, right?”
The corner of my mouth twitched.
“A two-dollar ice cream cone. I'm not worthy.”
“I'll pass. Wouldn't want your girlfriend getting jealous.”
“Oh?”
Darrell drew the word out, long and suggestive.
“Not coming? Sounds like a guilty conscience to me.”
“Scared you'll feel awkward around Dorothy? Or does it actually bother you?”
“You'd better come. Otherwise Dorothy's definitely going to think there's something going on between us.”
My expression went flat.
“Think whatever you want. It's got nothing to do with me.”
I was about to hang up when Darrell clicked his tongue.
“Dorothy and I are right downstairs from your place. We're buddies, aren't we? Then come down.”
“Or we can come up to you.”
I was silent for two seconds, then went downstairs.
Darrell had his arm around a girl in a cosplay outfit, the two of them standing next to the ice cream shop, sharing sips from the same cup of lemonade.
When he spotted me, he grinned and waved.
“Mildred! Over here!”
I walked over, and Darrell immediately launched into introductions for Dorothy.
“Babe, this is the buddy I told you about. Mildred.”
“She gave up the Ivy League for us and switched her applications to a community college.”
“Having a bro like Mildred in my life? I'm a lucky guy.”
Dorothy looked me up and down, head to toe.
Long hair past my shoulders, a black-and-white matching set with a short skirt, black leather flats, white scrunched socks.
Her face soured instantly, and she shot a glare at Darrell.
“She's dressed like that, and you call her your buddy?”
“Darrell, there's really nothing going on? Are you lying to me?”
Darrell grabbed her hand, scrambling to explain.
“Babe, I swear, she's just a bro to me. She's the one who likes me. What am I supposed to do about that?”
“Stop.”
I rolled my eyes and cut them off, loud enough for both of them to hear.
“I didn't come down here for your two-dollar ice cream cone. I came to set the record straight. I am not Darrell's buddy. At most, we sat next to each other in class.”
“He changed my college applications behind my back. I never gave up anything for your relationship. Are we clear?”
They both stared at me without a word.
I shrugged.
“I've said what I came to say. I'm leaving.”
The second I turned around, Darrell grabbed my arm and yanked me toward the wall.
His elbow slammed into my shoulder, driving me back against the bricks. Pain shot down my arm, sharp and numbing.
His face was ugly. He kept his voice low.
“You really had to blow my cover in front of Dorothy? Had to embarrass me like that?”
I rubbed my arm and stared back at him, cold.
“You had the nerve to do it but not the guts to own it?”
He blinked, then let out a sigh.
“Forget it. Can't reason with someone who's never been in a relationship.”
Then he looked me over with open disdain.
“You dolled yourself up all cute and innocent on purpose, didn't you? Trying to get under Dorothy's skin?”
I took a deep breath.
“Are you insane? This is how I always dress.”
“Usually is usually. Today is today!”
Darrell raked his fingers through his hair, agitated.
“Would it kill you to dress a little more like a tomboy? Stay in your lane as a buddy? You're putting me in an impossible position here, you know that?”
