Chapter 17

• The final bell rang releasing them from history class. Lee walked out of building and headed out to the parking lot. She didn’t have that many friends, so there was nothing that kept her hanging around school for long, apart from the few persistent boys and the glowering girls who only talked to her because their crushes were chasing after her, ready to make themselves available for the dates she turned down. She was a loner; she liked being that way, and of course being socially awkward did play a big part in it.
• All of a sudden the offers had increased in numbers, she was under the impression the word ‘single’ was carved on her forehead and ‘desperate for an Ash substitute’ pasted on her back. George was his usual slimy unrelenting self and Josh was also playing his odds but at a more gentlemanly patient way. Lee thought of saying yes to Josh a couple of times just to irritate George but that would only open the door for a second date which she really didn’t want.
• Lee walked to her parking space only to find it empty. She’d forgotten Ann had dropped her off; Ann’s car had stalled again. The thoughts of Ash had made it impossible for her to think of anything else. The slight body aches and fading bruises were a physical constant reminder of him. It was really embarrassing when Mr. Scott from chemistry called Lee out of her daydream with a question and she answered Ash.