It was this whole awkward exchange that drove Dustin to excuse himself to the bathroom in the first place. On his way there, he stopped to talk to a few guys he knew from school. Since it was a table of four teenage boys, they had noticed who Dustin was with and demanded details. Nerds like them didn’t have hot chocolate with gorgeous girls on the Hot List, unless she was a blood relative or needed to copy homework. Dustin knew he could have told these guys any story he wanted, but that was not his way. He told them the truth, which was that he had no fucking clue what was going on. His brutal honesty was lauded with laughter all around.

As Dustin approached the table after the bathroom, he saw that Kimmie had a smile on her face and looked lost in thought. God, she’s so beautiful, he thought. I wonder if she’s thinking about me? “What are you thinking about?” he asked, taking his seat across from her.

“Nothing much,” Kimmie lied, looking down at her hands. “I guess I was wondering what was happening across the park with Lolly and Steven.” Upon hearing herself, she realized there was truth to her statement as well. Lolly was her sister, so of course she was wondering if she was okay.

“Do you think they’ll work it out?” Dustin asked. The whole situation was causing him much consternation. Whether he liked it or not, he was personally invested, especially now that he was benefitting from it. Even though he believed that Lolly should break up with Steven for what he did to her, it was obvious how much Lolly adored Steven. And there was a small part of him that hoped they would make it because he’d be lying if he hadn’t thought about the four of them hanging out together. Perhaps Anna could help smooth things over.

“I don’t know,” Kimmie said. “But if I were her, I’d dump his ass.”

“Just so you know, even though I’m friends with Steven, I think he’s one hundred percent in the wrong,” Dustin said. “And if you could, please tell Lolly I’m sorry she’s had to deal with all of this.”

Kimmie studied Dustin’s serious face and could tell he meant everything he’d just said. His honesty shone through, which was why she felt so safe and secure in his presence.