I was taking my first bite when Greg, Nadia’s ex and one of the baseball team’s relief pitchers, approached the table, tray in hand and clearly irritated that I was seated there. He was one of the hangers-on, a kid who desperately wanted to be a part of this clique. But like me, he drove a crappy secondhand car, and his clothes were more likely to come from Walmart than J.Crew. One would think I’d feel some sympathy for him … but I didn’t. He hadn’t treated Nadia very well, and I’d come to the conclusion that he was a wannabe user who latched onto her because it made him look good.

I refocused my attention on the conversation as Ian scooted even closer to me to make room on his other side.

Laney flipped her auburn hair over her shoulder. “How are you liking our school?” she asked Malachi in a loud voice, enunciating every word and speaking slowly.

Aden and Ian snickered, but Malachi gave her a polite smile. “I am enjoying the classes very much, and particularly literature. I had only read Rilke in the original German, so I am happy to have the opportunity to read it in English as well.”

Laney’s eyes went all dreamy, and her tongue traced her bottom lip. “Wow. You speak beautiful English,” she said breathlessly. And then she made this weird, little yipping noise and glared across the table at Tegan. “It’s true,” she said, all pouty as she reached under the table to rub her shin.

I reached for my fork, not sure whether I wanted stab Laney with it or use it to eat my salad. I was still trying to decide when Ian’s elbow collided with my arm. “Oh, jeez, sorry,” he said, giving me a surprisingly sweet, apologetic smile that revealed deep dimples. His shaggy brown hair hung over his forehead as he looked down at me. “I’m a lefty. No one should ever have to sit on that side of me.” He tucked his elbow against his body.

“You should see him in the batter’s box,” said Greg, obviously trying to make nice. “Pitchers don’t know what to do with him. It’s one of the reasons we’re gonna take state this year.” He lifted his chin at Malachi. “You must have played some sports in school, right?” He looked like he was ready to recruit Malachi on the spot.

Malachi shook his head. “I never had much opportunity to play sports.”

Aden looked completely baffled, probably because he’d seen Malachi’s abs in the locker room. Tegan, who had been poking at her plateful of iceberg lettuce, set her fork down and put her arm around Aden’s waist. “What are we doing tonight?” she asked him.

Aden leaned in to kiss her cheek. “We were actually planning a guy thing, Teg. Sorry.”