‘You gotta try these muffins,’ Charlie said, taking a striped Radical Cake Collective box from the shelf above her desk. ‘They’re fifteen bucks a box in the shops. I’ll be a whale if I keep eating them.’

‘Had a big breakfast,’ Harry said, trying to act normal while a hot poker charred his soul.

Brad? Who else could it be? Bet it was right there on the bed. Bet he had a big smile on his face. After everything I’ve done, she sleeps with someone else.

How pathetic am I? Skinny, spotty. Crushing on her for two years. Telling myself I’m giving her space and doing the right thing, but really just scared to make a move in case the answer is no.

‘How was detention?’

‘Two hours of my life wasted,’ Harry said. ‘Nice sneakers.’

Two years of my life wasted. How could Charlie do this? She must have known I have feelings … Or maybe she thinks I don’t because I dicked about for so long.

‘My hair feels so weird,’ Charlie said. ‘I catch myself in the mirror and I’m looking at someone else! Sit on my bed. Do you want a drink? I bought some of that English tea you like at Walgreens.’

She bought me tea. She cares about me. Maybe it was a one-time deal …

‘I hope you don’t mind, but Brad said he’d like to see Samurai Cop II. He’s gonna come along, and Juno’s seeing her dad now, but she’s gonna meet us at the theatre. And Juno said there’s a great taco place we might go to after.’

This sucks so hard. I can’t breathe.

‘Can I just get some water?’ Harry said.

‘Are you OK?’ Charlie asked. ‘You look hot.’

‘Stressy day,’ Harry said. ‘Kirsten’s not happy about the detention.’

And I blew Kirsten off, to come here for this …

‘Harry,’ Brad said cheerfully, coming in the half-opened door without knocking. ‘How’s life?’

You could have any girl you want, so why muscle in on mine? You’re laughing at me, aren’t you? I bet you’ve had a hundred other girls too. Charlie probably doesn’t even mean that much to you, but you’ve stomped my life.

‘Could be worse,’ Harry said, wondering if Brad was going to kiss her or something. But there was just a glance between them, so clearly they were keeping it under the radar.

‘I figured we’d take Betsy,’ Brad said. ‘Harry’s Mini only has two doors, and there’ll be four on the ride back.’