137/395
?Did you try to call me?? Helen asked, grateful for an excuse to
pry herself away from Lucas and hopefully away from all the
stares.
?Like, five times. What happened to you??
?My phone broke,? Helen said apologetically. Then she turned to
Lucas. ?I have to stop at my locker before homeroom. Thanks for
the ride,? she told him bluntly.
?Okay. I?ll see you later then,? he said, accepting his dismissal as
gracefully as he could. When he was no more than three steps
away, Claire grabbed Helen?s arm and dragged her toward her
locker.
?What the holy hand grenade was that?? Claire practically
shouted. Helen shushed her as she wrestled with her locker
combination.
?We had a long talk,? Helen said quickly. ?We don?t hate each
other anymore.?
?A talk? Yeah, right. I?m sure tongues were involved but for some
reason I don?t think much language was used.? Claire looked angry,
but Helen was suddenly angrier.
?Stop it, Claire! I mean it! I had a really rough weekend. I?m sorry
I didn?t think to call you last night but my father was pissed at me
for leaving him stranded at the airport.?
?Well, tell me about it now then!? Claire replied defensively. ?Not
like you have to say anything. Everyone can see that you and Lucas
are suddenly a couple.?
?I don?t know what we are, but it?s not something I can sum up
with an easy label like ?couple,? okay?? Stressed, Helen shuffled
through her books and realized that she hadn?t done any of her
homework.