The Fill - In Boyfriend
Episode 29's

“Yeah, that's the problem. I'm doing. I don't have a car. It was like pulling a tooth every time I wanted to borrow it to visit Bradley. And because my mom had to work, it didn't happen. "

I can take you.

"Why do you want to do that?"

“Because I owe you and I try to be a better person.”

I laugh. “You don't owe me. We are even now. If you do this, I'll owe you. "

“Bec might come too. He likes that artful movie, "he said as if I didn't say anything. "That would be fun. An adventure."

I pulled a loose strap on the bottom of my jeans. “I don't know. My sister insisted we not come. "

“He probably just doesn't want to press you. I know that I hate it when people do the same for me. "

"You're right. He'll probably be happy we came. Maybe he even wanted my parents to insist on coming. "

“He probably did. You said you two weren't too close, right? "

"Good."

It's like you showed him that he's important to you. That you support him. "

It felt weird to have Hayden drive me three hours, but he was right, this would be a good show of support. I remember the conversation I had in the middle between Hayden and Spencer. How Spencer implied that Hayden was too good, doing things without thinking of himself. I hope this isn't one of them. Are you sure?

"Of course."

I'll give you some gas money.

"If you will."

Thank you, Hayden.

Equally, Gia.

CHAPTER 20

“Didn't get any idea.” It was the first thing Bec said to me when I sat in Government the next morning.

"About what?"

“About you and my sister. He's too good for you. "

I don't have an idea. Well. . maybe I get some ideas, but I try not to let it linger. If Hayden is really in my life, I have a lot to explain to my friends. I have a lot to explain anyway. I have to be honest. Especially since Jules seemed unwilling to let go of her suspicions.

Bec blinked once, lowered his eyebrows as if he heard my thoughts, then said, "I'll go with you on Saturday to watch over you. Not because I want to help you or anything. ”

"I think maybe we're friends now" I said.

“I am not friends with anyone who does not want to acknowledge my existence in public.”

"You didn't admit I was on the beach either."

She laughs. "Not with the pleading gaze you gave me to keep my mouth shut."

“It's more about prom party than anything. They didn't know it was you at prom. "

"good. Keep saying that to yourself. "

It's true, I want to insist. If my friends find out he's the one who fought Hayden at the prom, the whole story will blow up on the beach. In front of everyone. I'm not sure why I need it to believe this. He's really not my friend. I should have ignored it and continued.

But I can't. “Hey, I helped you yesterday. They won't leave you alone. "

I couldn't let go of conversations with Bec all day, so when Claire and I walked into the parking lot for lunch and I saw her, I said, "Hi, Bec."

He did a double take and then just shook his head with a smile. “Touch.”

“About what is it?” Claire asked after we passed by. "Who is that?"

“Itu Bec. He's the guy I told you about the other day that I betrothed him to his brother. "

"His?" he asked, clearly surprised.

"Yes." Yeah."

Day. . . ”

"Very cool," I said before he could fill in the adjectives I didn't want to hear.

“So, are you two friends now?”

I don't think he wants to be my friend.

Claire grunts. "Isn't that upside down?"

No, I don't. My backpack stuck it on my shoulder so I shifted it to another one.

“Is everything okay, Gia? You look different lately. Far."

I took a deep breath and immediately took it out. “I think I just feel pondering. We are about to graduate and I wonder what I have actually achieved. ”

“You are one of the most popular girls in school. When people look back ten years from now, they will remember your name. They'll know who you are. "

How can anyone know who I am when I don't even know it?

He nodded his head towards where Bec used to be. He won't even enter their minds.

“So, remembered? Is that the meaning of life? ”

“Better than forgotten.”

“But I think I'd rather be remembered for something.”

"What-like?"

"I don't have an idea."

I saw Bec retreat. Maybe a lot of people from high school won't remember Bec for ten years, but the people who remember Bec will remember him loud and confident and sometimes cruel but always know exactly what he wants.

We reach Claire's car, where Laney and Jules are waiting.

“Where are we going to lunch today, girls?” Jules asked.

Laney and Claire looked at me like it was my decision. “I don't care. You choose. ”

Claire and Laney exchanged glances as if I had never said that before. I'm sure I'll let them pick our lunch spot beforehand. Although I now think about it, I remember often stating that I was interested in certain things. I didn't think it was a request. More than a suggestion.

“How about Las Palapas? I feel like Mexican food, ” said Jules.

For some reason, it was Jules who chose to make me want to give advice, but I didn't. "That sounds good."

As Claire drove, I sat in the passenger seat. As Jules drives, Laney sits as a passenger. That's how it works, how we always do it. So when I circled the car after Claire unlocked the door and I saw Jules walking straight to the passenger door and opening it without pause, I stopped in my lane. From behind the hood of the car, Laney looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled at him and went up to the back. Claire looked at me confusedly from behind her shoulder, but then started the car.