![]() He straddled the bench engrossed in a paperback. A guitar sat on his lap and his long fingers strummed a tune that was barely audible over the noise of the crowd. “Speaking of,” said Hannah, nodding to the table up ahead.Īlex sat on the bench with his back against the table. He makes a better friend than boyfriend.” “Oh my, God,” said Hannah with raised eyebrows. “He snaps me.” Then she admitted, begrudgingly, “And I may snap him back occasionally.” Hannah looked over at Jessica to see her smiling down at her phone with a pleased expression. It was nice out so most of the outdoor tables were taken. They shared a laugh as they maneuvered through the courtyard. She tugged a little on the scarf Hannah wore over a denim jacket. Leaning into her, Jessica put a hand over her heart. “As nice as that speech was, I’ll think about doing this survey.” Hannah folded the paper up and slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans. The friendship was a relief because it forced her back into her body rather than drifting away in her thoughts. She knew she felt too much and tended to hang on to things until it festered as doubts and whispers that filled her cluttered mind, and being alone allowed the thoughts to turn darker and darker until they piled up. Hannah is a charming girl, but she tends to be overly emotional, was written in red on progress reports sent home during grade school and Hannah had another episode on the playground after a kid teased her. Too sensitive is what people have always called her growing up. Truthfully she was grateful for the company. Maybe in the end they would be stronger for it. The betrayal still stung but it wasn’t the painful ache it used to be. ![]() The way they stopped talking was ugly and tainted the good memories they shared. ![]() She couldn’t lie it felt good to have Jessica as a friend again. Hannah ducked her head to hide the smile blossoming on her face. You could’ve left my drunk ass at the dance but you didn’t, and that Hannah Baker,” she said, tapping her finger against the tip of Hannah’s nose, earning her a playful glare. You had my back even after I was a total bitch to you and that put it all into perspective for me. “My point still stands,” Jessica said promptly. “I told you last week I’m done with the internalized misogyny. She set a brisk stroll across the parking lot toward the lawn. Jessica rolled her eyes and then linked their arms together. “You’re really invested in my love life suddenly. I just drive it sometimes because my parents like carpooling so they can listen to podcasts together.” Hannah looked her up and down suspiciously. “Your dad bought you a new car for the Winter Formal!” “We’re still not over the recession,” Hannah pointed out, biting the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. One measly buck and you could be matched up with prince charming.” She started to walk past her, but Jessica moved in front of Hannah. “Did Sheri pay you for this free promo?” She shook her head. Then you get matched with five names and phone numbers of who could potentially be your knight in shining Armani.” “All you have to do is describe yourself and then what you’re looking for in someone else. “Always the rebel, Hannah Baker,” Jessica laughed at her dry reply. “What is your idea of a fun Saturday night?” Hannah read off and just stared at the other girl. This looks like those TigerBeat quizzes I used to take when I was like twelve.” Hannah took the offered sheet of paper and quickly read it over. “You say that like you’re not interested but I totally know you are. Jessica rolled her eyes and thrusted the paper at Hannah. Jessica tapped the paper with her finger. “I’m afraid to ask what that is,” Hannah said in greeting. Jessica showed off a piece of pink paper waving it around a bit like a fan. She broke off a conversation with Sheri and made her way over. Kids swarmed the parking lot but Jessica managed to spot her with ease. It was like the universe had finally had enough of kicking her while she was down. The stupid hate messages and harassment littering her inboxes on social media had tapered off. The mistakes she made, the trust she so easily shared just to have it broken, didn’t weigh at her so much these days. Hannah locked the door to the Jeep and stared up at the school. New faces were welcomed but one wrong step and the ground was broken underneath your feet, faces staring down impassively as you fell into the void. All the kids here grew up together and the bonds of friendship were forged with shared history. The school year was more than halfway over and she was still trying to find her way. It was bigger, crowded and frightfully easy to slip through the cracks and go unnoticed. Liberty High was different than her last school.
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