Rumors (A Lingering Echoes Prequel)

  News spread quickly about my break up with Shane, even though school was not in session. I could only imagine the hopeful, young girls everywhere flocking to virtually comfort him through Facebook and texts. It was a pretty glum start to Christmas break, though I was relieved not to be trapped inside school walls.

  Leah and Taylor approached me, their expressions distraught.

  “Shane hooked up with Crystal Jennings Friday night!” Taylor threw her hands up in the air. “It’s only been two days since Christmas break started. Can you believe it?”

  I continued slicing my pear on the cutting board. “Do I know who that is?” I asked, trying to keep my expression indifferent.

  “Oh, come on,” Leah said, “You know exactly who she is. Jet-black hair… eye makeup like a raccoon? Hooks up with a new guy every other weekend?”

  I offered my bowl of pears to my sisters and bit into a sliver. “Ok, yeah, I know who you’re talking about,” I said with fruit in my mouth.

  “Why aren’t you upset?” Taylor asked, her eyes wide. “What’s it been—a few days since you broke up?”

  I shrugged. “We broke up. It’s his right to kiss whoever he wants.” Truthfully, the thought of Shane kissing Crystal, of all people, did irritate me more than I thought it should. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing the smug satisfaction on her face when school started up again.

  Leah’s disgust presented itself with a scowl. “And to think we liked him…”

  “You had crushes on him,” I corrected. “You didn’t know anything about him. To be honest, I’m not surprised. It’s the party boy in Shane. The guy runs on thrills and impulse. Anyway, I’m not angry about it.”

  Taylor tilted her head and eyed me with scrutiny. Leah put her hands on her hips.

  “Ok, fine,” I admitted, tossing the empty bowl into the sink. “It bothers me a little. I just didn’t want to say anything because it’s not like I was a good girlfriend to him anyway. I was sort of one foot in, one foot out the whole time.” I knew it shouldn’t bother me, but I couldn’t help but feel a little bit jealous… and grossed out that his rebound was with Crystal.

  “Well, you can do better, anyway,” Leah said, and then she sighed. “He’s just really, really, good looking!”

  I laughed, while Taylor grumbled, “That’s the problem with all the hot guys. They all know they’re hot, so relationships are no big deal to them because they can get somebody else just like that!” She snapped her fingers for emphasis. “You’ll meet someone better, Allie.”

  Despite the hurtful circumstances, it felt good to be standing there in the kitchen with my sisters griping beside me. We were united once again, even if it would no longer be on a high school basketball court. It would still take some time to adjust, but I knew siding with me against Shane was their way of trying to show support.

  “I’m not that worried about it,” I said. “Boys are more trouble than they’re worth.”