If Julio wasn’t with me, I wouldn’t have survived today. He follows me to all my classes. A few girls give him interested looks but he ignores them, his full attention on me.
Roman is a no-show first period. A part of me wonders if he’s off screwing Silvia in the locker rooms or something. I know he’s mad but he didn’t need to say what he did.
I want to talk to him, to explain why I didn’t call or text. I know if he knew my reasons, if he knew everything that happened, he’d understand. At least, I hope he would. But I can’t convince myself to expose myself like that to him. His words cut deep. He wanted to hurt me and he did. What if he doesn’t understand? What if telling him what happened only confirms what I am in his eyes? A whore.
Julio tries to comfort me throughout the day. Every time I catch sight of Roman, Dominique, or Emilio, he distracts me with a question or a dumb joke. Sometimes it works. But most of the time, it doesn’t.
“Hey,” he tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You don’t need them. Seven more months and you’re coming home with me.”
I nod. I’ll be eighteen in four months. Graduate in seven. It feels like forever and a day away but in reality, it’s not that far. Falling out like this with the Devils hurts, but maybe it was for the best.
We eat lunch in the library without incident. Well, Julio does at least. I manage two bites of pizza before throwing my tray away, unable to stomach the food any better than I have been at Gerald’s.
Spanish goes by without a hitch. When I get to Welding, Julio draws a little more attention than he had in my previous classes, but this time, since it’s a class full of guys, Julio doesn’t ignore them.
“This the new beau?” Aaron asks, a smile on his face. It’s a forced smile but it’s a smile nonetheless. I stiffen as he nears but Julio positions himself between us, easing some of the tension before he answers Aaron for me.
“Nah, man. Allie’s like my little sister. I’m a friend from back home.” He reaches out a hand and Aaron shakes it. His smile morphs to one that’s more genuine as he gives Julio a once-over.
“Sister, huh? You two could have fooled me. All the hand holding, the looks…” He trails off and I know there’s a question in there, but he doesn’t come out and ask it.
Julio and I have been affectionate since he arrived. I’m not entirely sure why. Back home, we never really held hands, but we’ve cuddled watching movies together and neither of us have ever shied away from physical contact. But it’s always been platonic. Saying I’m like a sister is one hundred percent accurate. I don’t have any biological siblings but if I did, I imagine my relationship with them would be like what I have with Julio. Easy. Comfortable. And with zero romantic feelings for the other person.
“I’ve known J since grade school.” I shrug. “I don’t think either of us realized how people might take things.”
Julio snorts beside me. “We also don’t care.”
Aaron seems to mull that over. “So… how’s Roman handling this? I saw him earlier with—” He cuts himself off and looks away. Rubbing his hand over the back of his neck he offers me an apologetic look. “Sorry. I know it’s none of my business but I think you deserve to know.” He pauses. “Roman was all over Silvia Parish at lunch today.”
A rock falls to the pit of my stomach. “It didn’t take him long to move on.”
Aaron’s face twists into a grimace. “Did something happen? All the Devils have been acting weird. I know you and he were—”
“No. Nothing happened. Things ran their course. That’s all.”
Julio’s vibrating with anger beside me. I know he wants to say something. He’s made it clear what he thinks about Roman, but thankfully he keeps quiet about it all.
“Well, for what it’s worth, I hope you’re doing okay. Roman is an asshole. You deserve better.”
Julio whistles and the teacher’s head jerks in our direction with a glare. In a quieter tone he says, “You can say that again. That guy is a grade-A asshole.”
Aaron high fives him and I stifle a groan as the two dive into a heated conversation about just how much of a dick Roman is. Great.
Just as class ends Aaron’s phone chimes with a message. He pulls out his cell and scowls. “Shit.”
“Something wrong?” I ask.
He ruffles his sandy blond hair before shoving his phone in his back pocket and grabbing his skateboard. ‘One of our dishwashers at the diner just bailed. No notice either. Tonight is going to suck.’
“You work at a diner?” Julio asks.
He nods. “Yeah. My aunt owns it—the Sun Valley Station. Best burgers in town. I work there after school sometimes to help her out.” He shrugs. “I don’t really need the money but it gets me out of the house.”
An idea forms and before I can talk myself out of it I say, “I can help. I mean, if you think she’d want to fill the position. I’m looking for a job.”
His brows furrow. “You are?”
I bob my head enthusiastically.
“Allie, you sure this is a good idea?” Julio whispers beside me. I give him an affirming nod. This is a great idea. Exactly what I need.
“Yeah. I’ve put in a few applications around town, but I haven’t gotten any callbacks.”
“I’ve seen your place and your new ride. You’re not hurting for cash. Why would you want to scrub dishes at a diner?”
“Because I don’t want to have to rely on my bio-dad for everything. I barely know the guy. You know what he’s like. Would you want anything from him?’
He shakes his head with a grimace, probably remembering Gerald’s words when he’d last been over.
“If you helped me get this job you’d be doing me a huge favor.”
His lips twist as he considers it. “You’d be able to work tonight?”
I nod.
“Alright. I’ll talk to her. I can’t make any promises but plan on working the closing shift. It’s four to eleven.”
“Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.” The bell rings signaling the end of class and we all get up, gathering our things.
Aaron smiles and steps forward. His arms open as if to hug me and instantly I stiffen. Julio intercepts the touch, reaching out to shake Aaron’s hand while pulling him into a bro hug. Aaron’s eyes widen in confusion over Julio’s shoulder.
“Thanks for helping my girl out, man. I’m glad she’ll have a friend around after I head back home.”
“Uh, yeah. Of course.”
Julio steps away and then tugs me toward the door.
“See you tonight,” I tell him, rushing to leave.
