Free Triggered by Vicki Grant Page B

“Don’t leave your hockey gear in the hall.” That’s their idea of a heartfelt conversation. No wonder Mick always wants to hang out in our crappy little apartment instead of at his place.
    When I realized that, I was all ready to call him and say how sorry I was for hurting his feelings, but then Gavin threw up and I didn’t have the chance. Now I’ve changed my mind. I am sorry—but I realize that even mentioning Mick’s feelings would be wounding him again. He’s a guy. He doesn’t want to look like a wuss.
    So I’m just going to let this go. I’ll give him a little space. I’ll act like we both need to chill out. I want him to be able to come back to me when he’s ready—and with his dignity intact. Too bad it wasn’t intact tonight.
    Oops. I didn’t mean that. Neither of us behaved as well as we could have, and I know he feels badly for what he did to Gavin. Emotions were running high—and hey, we all have our bad days now and again.
    Speaking of which, tomorrow’s going to be hell. Bio, Chemistry AND Math. Plus I’m cleaning Mrs. Crespo’s apartment after school. I’ve GOT to go to sleep!
    Note to Self
    1. Iron pink shirt.
    2. Talk to Mr. Panjvani about a reference letter.
    3. Finish yearbook write-up.

Mick
    Chapter Three
    Quinn slams into the locker and slides onto the floor. He’s supposedly laughing so hard, he can’t stand up. I want to kill him.
    I poke my head out from behind the pop machine and look down the hall. He goes “Peekaboo!” then chokes on his own hilariousness. He starts wheezing and hacking like he’s some eighty-year-old bingo player.
    I make sure Jade’s gone, then I swear at him and walk over to my locker. I know she saw me.
    I shove him out of the way with my foot so I can get my stuff. “You sat on some gum,” I say. He jumps up all indignant, like someone put it there on purpose. I’d laugh, but I’m still too pissed off.
    A couple of kids walk by and do it for me. Quinn twists his head over his shoulder and starts picking the gum off his butt.
    â€œYou know,” he says, “when you told me you broke up with Jade, I thought, All right. The man’s finally grown a pair. But no such luck. I mean, what is it now—three weeks later? Four? And you’re still playing hide-and-seek?”
    I get out my World History books. He can talk all he wants. He doesn’t know what it’s like.
    He stretches the gum out into a long gray scuzzy string. It’s gone from someone’s mouth to the hall floor to Quinn’s ass. It grosses me out just looking at it.
    He snaps it off. “Either go back to her or get over it,” he says, “because, frankly, this is pathetic.”
    â€œYeah,” I say. “It is.” I look at him rolling the gum in his hands as if that’s what we’re talking about, then head down the hall without him.
    I don’t hear a thing Ms. Hamilton says all class. I’ve got to smarten up. I need a good mark in World History, but my mind’s not there today. I keep thinking about Jade. I know breaking up with her was the right thing to do. It’s not that. We were too far gone to fix. But that doesn’t mean I don’t still care about her.
    I hate running into her. She looks like hell. She’s so skinny and sad.
    The worst thing, though, is she makes me think of Gavin. I keep picturing his face the last time I saw him. He was sobbing like I’d drowned his dog or something.
    But what can I do? I can’t go back with Jade to make her little brother happy. I can’t go back with her so she won’t lose any more weight. I’ve just got to tough it out. We’ll get over it.
    The bell rings. Poli-sci is next. The fastest way there is by the east stairs, but that’s the way Jade goes to French. I can handle being in English with her. I mean, it’s not like I have any