The idea of going out with Damien again is not the worst thing in the world, considering I actually did have a decent time yesterday, but if this is the result, it doesn’t seem wise. Being with someone I have zero memory of loving proves to be more difficult every day. There’s a voice in the back of my mind telling me I should end the relationship and avoid stringing him along, but I don’t know if that would be fair. It hasn’t been that long yet.

“Maybe we can invite Zoe and James too,” I suggest.

“Allie,” he begins, “that’s not what I meant—”

“You called?”

We’re abruptly joined by James as he throws open the cafeteria doors and slings an arm around each of our shoulders, dragging us along with him. I’m thankful for the distraction that saves me from our conversation, but Damien looks annoyed, side-eyeing his best friend as we stumble through the room.

“What are you talking about?” Damien asks.

“I heard my name,” James says simply, oblivious to what he interrupted. “I’m starving. You guys hungry?”

“I am,” I say, ignoring Damien.

After making our way through the lunch line, we join Zoe at our usual table, and I slide into the seat next to her. She reaches out an arm to give me a squeeze.

“Just the gal I wanted to see,” she says brightly.

I peel back the plastic on my container of salad. “Oh?”

“What would you say to getting out of this place for a while this afternoon?”

“I would be intrigued,” I reply, remaining cautious. “But I would also say that I probably shouldn’t miss any more classes.”

Zoe pouts, slouching her shoulders. “Oh, come on,” she protests. “You deserve a break, and you have the world’s most valid excuse. Just say you have a headache or something.”

“Excuse me,” James interjects, raising a hand. “What about us?”

“What about you?”

He gestures as if it should be obvious. “Aren’t we invited?”

“Absolutely not.”

James scoffs, looking affronted, but she doesn’t seem to spare him another thought. Damien is sulking, pushing his food around on his plate, and I stifle a smile at the dramatics, turning to Zoe.

“What do you have in mind?” I ask.

“Retail therapy, of course,” she explains. “There are some amazing shops about an hour out of town. We could grab dinner too.”

I take a deep breath, debating, as Zoe clasps her hands in a pleading gesture, batting her eyelashes. Getting out of Pender Falls and away from school for an extended period of time does sound rather appealing. It would be a chance to get to know my supposed best friend a bit better too.

“Are you sure it’s okay to ditch?” I persist.

Zoe huffs. “Ugh, the new version of you is such a goody two-shoes. Usually I’m the only one who cares about school.”