Nobody in Particular(25)

“Yeah, army green.”

“Excellent stitching, nice … solid material.”

“Uh-huh,” she says flatly.

“Well, if you don’t want it, I’ll take it,” I say brightly.

She doesn’t take me seriously at first. “Oh, sure, and I’ll just freeze.”

“No, you can take my jumper. We’re about the same size, I’d say.”

Danni laughs shortly and starts to walk forward. “Yeah, okay.”

I pick up my pace to get ahead of her and walk backward, facing her. “Really. Let me wear it.”

“Why?” she asks. She sounds tired. “So you can cosplay as middle class?”

I suppose I deserve her suspicion, after the amount of poking and prodding I’ve sent her way over the last fortnight. So when I reply, I take care to remain perfectly serious. “Because I would just love to see those snobs attempt to judge me. I dare them. In fact, I dare them to ever judge you again. If anyone says a word to you, you let me know. Okay?”

Danni smiles hesitantly, and I hold out my hand for it.

“Besides,” I say, fighting a grin. “Like I said. It’s a lovely parka.”

I don it as we walk. “I ski,” I say, after a period of silence.

“What’s that?”

“You asked me about snow sports. I ski. And I skate, a little.”

“Oh.” Danni looks rather pleased at this. “I love skiing.”

“There’s a senior snow trip next year. Don’t expect Molly to join, though, it’s her worst nightmare.”

“Noted.”

“I’ll be there, though,” I add. Why did I say that? To let her know a fact? Or to imply she’ll have a friendly face there if she joins?

Danni locks eyes with me. I get the sense she’s trying to search for the answer to that very question in my gaze. “Noted,” she says again, somewhat quizzically.

When we return to the game, Danni, who’s now wearing the same jumper as everybody else, gives me a grateful glance before joining Molly’s side. I seem to be attracting a number of curious and confused stares in my new attire, and it’s rather difficult for me not to break into laughter. Especially as I start making eye contact with everyone looking and they avert their gazes to the ground one by one. Honestly.

Molly flips the camera to Danni. “And Danni’s back from wherever she went,” she crows, as though I’m not here at all. “Just in time to completely miss the incredible final try of the game.” She lowers the phone and beams at Danni. “We won, by the way.”

“What are you wearing?” Alfie asks me as I sit.

“Do you like it?” I ask.

“It’s…” He seems lost for words. I wonder if he’s remembering our discussion at the state banquet regarding his judgmental streak.

“A lovely parka,” I fill in for him pointedly.

“A lovely parka,” Alfie agrees, shaking his head and smiling.

Now that I’m no longer concerned about Molly’s well-being, I find it much easier to pay attention to the girls’ match. As the game winds to a close, and the players shake hands, a thought occurs to me. I unlock my phone and pass it behind me to Danni, dragging my gaze from her eyes to the phone.

Danni takes it and, hardly missing a beat, starts entering her number. I believe today we’ve come to an understanding. The two of us care for Molly, and it appears we’ll be much better able to look out for her if we’re in contact.

Besides, I’m starting to understand what Molly sees in Danni. I don’t think I would mind hearing from her outside of classes every now and then, if she feels so inclined. When she passes my phone back to me, I tuck it into my pocket and rest my hand over it.

Both Molly and Harriet quite obviously notice our silent exchange.

Neither looks entirely pleased.





ELEVEN

ROSE




DB

September 14

There are articles about us!

Try not to read them.

Why wouldn’t I read them?

They’re nice

They say you rescued me

They should have said you squashed me.

But they never do aim for accuracy.

Don’t be modest, you totally rescued me You weren’t even in squashing radius Are the pictures nice, at least?

They’re screenshots

They’re nice of you

I look

Hmm

Like a bulldozer?

You’re mean over text.

I’m mean in real life.

Yeah but in real life you smile so I can tell you’re joking

Thank you

September 20

Pay attention.

They’re talking about my great-grandfather.

It’s riveting stuff.

A boring man, though, or so I hear.

I am paying attention

And how did you do that?

Do what?

Text without touching your phone You just did it again!

Obviously I am touching my phone, Danni.

Honestly, have you never seen sleight of hand?

I’m impressed

Are you usually this easy to impress?

Maybe you’re just more impressive than you think you are Unlikely. I’m quite enamored with myself.