Queen of the Clueless #2 of 3 (COMPLETE)

Chapter 16

"This is really good popcorn."

"It is, isn't it? Should ask Tita Carmen where she bought it."

"Ask her too where she got those curtains in the living room."

"I think she's had them in one of the cabinets ever since she moved here."

"Still. She got them from somewhere."

"She likes shopping online. Maybe she found them there. Do people look for curtains online?"

"People look for everything online."

This was Thursday evening, and Sol and I were walking to an event at school, pretending that our last conversation didn't happen.

It was a surprise that she even showed up, and not just because when I last saw her, she was storming out of the Guidance Office. I lived close enough to the campus that, whenever something interesting was happening there after class, Sol would drop by the house and walk with me the rest of the way. At least, she used to do that until Neil became her designated driver. I didn't even think of her when I found out about the launch party for College Girl, but she showed up at my doorstep just as I was preparing to leave.

This little get-together for a thousand people was going to be in one of the episodes of the reality show featuring Ford River. I think it was supposed to be the Senior Bonfire, but the invite list was changed to include all year levels.

I could imagine how much this must have annoyed Vida, head of student government and event planner of the Senior Bonfire. Having to deal with lowly freshmen and everyone else at what was supposed to be an exclusive party.

Sol was talking. "Have you seen Kathy lately? She looks super radiant. I wonder if her TV contract includes facials and stuff?"

"I haven't seen her," I said.

So, popcorn. Curtains. Kathy Martin's reality show. My shade of toenail polish. Topics that we casually tossed around, as we neared Ford River.

I kept thinking that I should say something about Neil, but I didn't want to ruin the mood. Meaning, we seemed to be on speaking terms. But each step counted down to campus, to civilization, and likely her waiting boyfriend, and if I didn't say anything just then, maybe I wouldn't get to at all.

"So we're watching Day of Hearts, right?" I blurted out.

"Of course!"

More steps, more about that movie opening on Valentine's Day. Losing my chance by the moment. As we turned the corner, talking about some interview the actor did, I could see Neil and his hair waiting for Sol along the curved driveway.

"I can get Neil help but you have to stop seeing him," was my next outburst, my last chance to say it without him hearing.

Sol stopped walking. "I can't believe you. You just said—"

"Ignore what I said then. This is what I'm saying now. Neil has a problem and I can get him help, but you have to stop seeing him before he becomes a danger to you."

"I'm not going to leave him, he needs me!"

"Look," I squeezed her forearm, a little too tightly. "Can't you just not call him? Stop talking to him at school? Just for a few weeks, see what will happen."

"I don't get you at all," Sol said, prying her arm away, totally unmoved. "I don't want to leave him. I told you about the thing because I want him to get, I don't know, therapy or something. But he and I are great together. Except for this one thing."

"You make it sound like a cute little quirk! It's not."

"Come on." Sol could see him and his hair in the distance too, and her voice dropped. "Don't make me regret telling you. I don't want to break up with him. I want to help him through whatever this is."

"If you want me to help him, you have to stay away from him. I won't allow him to take advantage of you again."

"Allow me? Excuse me, you don't get to decide what I'm allowed to do. Do I forbid you from following Quin around like a puppy, while you spend so much time doing his homework or whatever it is you do together? I don't like it, but I don't forbid you from acting like that. It's pathetic."

Now that was so out of context for me. It was out, to the side, and down the road from context as far as I could tell. "This isn't about me."

"Exactly. This is about me. I thought you'd understand."

My best friend thinks I'm pathetic. I wanted to focus and stick to the plan, to—

My best friend thinks I'm pathetic.

"Are you going to get him help or not?" Sol demanded.

"I don't want you to get hurt," I insisted.

"I've been hurt. You know the story. I cried over that guy every day for months. And now I'm happy with Neil. Except for this one thing. Don't make me give him up."

I wanted to tell her that she didn't love Neil. She was on the rebound, hanging on to something that wasn't perfect just because it was there. She deserved better than "there." At least she discovered this early enough. She'd recover quickly.

Plus? Maybe Quin actually liked my company. I didn't force him to hang out with me all of last year. And this year has been training, you know, really important stuff. That did NOT MEAN I WAS FOLLOWING HIM AROUND LIKE A—

My best friend thinks I'm pathetic.

I didn't get to say anything else.

Before I knew it, Neil was right there next to her, arm around her waist. He knew he was interrupting something; Sol looked angry and wasn't hiding it.

"Hi, Hannah," Neil said.

"Hi, Neil," I said, my voice shaking.

"They want us in the auditorium," he said, trying to read my expression.

Strange. He didn't seem like a threat to anybody. He just looked like a college boy.

I smiled. "Please go ahead. I'm waiting for somebody."