I know he thinks I’ve been avoiding him lately, but it’s just that being at the store’s not the same with his mom watching me all the time. And I’ve got some making up to do.

“I was gonna try to catch Jamal off guard,” I explain. “You know, hold him hostage until he talks to me.”

“Smart.” Dean’s face brightens. “I still don’t get why you did it, though.”

“Not you, too?” I look away. I was hoping to skip this conversation with Dean.

“I got your back, but the way your family looked on TV. They were shocked. My stomach was churning watching it go down. It was like a car accident, and I couldn’t look away.”

Dean’s always on my side. The fact he was hit hard by what I did really seals the deal. I messed up. He’s supported me through all the letters I’ve written to Innocence X and helped strategize ways to get their attention. He knows how much this means to me. The guilt twists in my stomach. I’ve gotta fix things with Jamal.

“I don’t know what I was thinking. I thought I’d immediately get a call from Innocence X, and then all would be forgiven, but nothing. Like usual.” I shake my head.

Dean slings his arm around my shoulders. “You’ll fix it. You always do. Come on, grab your books, bell’s gonna ring soon.”

We head to my locker, where Tasha’s lingering, grinning as she watches Dean and me head her way.

“Hey, Dean.”

“What’s up, Tasha?”

“Waiting on this girl. But now I know why Tracy is so late.”

“Yeah,” I say, “because Jamal ditched me again. You seen him?”

“Nah. Not yet. I heard something, though.” Tasha shakes her head but keeps her mouth shut in front of Dean.

“All right, Tracy.” Dean backs up, catching a clue. “I’ll see you later.”

I give him a thankful grin as he walks away. I mouth, Maybe I’ll stop by, and he flashes me a smile.

“Cuteness.” Tasha clicks her tongue as she hands me my books. “I don’t know why y’all don’t just bite the bullet and date. He gets a pass, you know.”

“Oh yeah, why?” I shut the locker and flick her hair.

“Because he’s the finest white boy I’ve ever seen. People would understand.”

“Oh, that’s how that works, huh? You know I’d have every white girl in school thinking they could get with Dean because they’d be mad he’s with me.”

“Please. Those heffas still wouldn’t even think in their wildest dreams y’all was together. You wasting time playing friends. You know that’s why nobody asks you out, anyways. That and Quincy.”

“You stay on that Quincy tip. He don’t want me; I told you to go after him already.”