Page 181 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

The photography room goes quiet.

Someone behind me whispers, “Oh my God.”

Jade looks up from her table, she sees me, and her baby blues widen.

Mr. Harris follows my gaze into the art room, then looks back at me. “Twenty-four pictures?” I nod. “Of the same subject?”

I glance at Jade again.

“Twenty-four so far.”

The room erupts.

Mr. Harris looks toward the ceiling. “Please, for the love of God, photograph something else.”

“I'll consider it.” He points toward the camera.

“Your assignment, Mr. Lane.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And maybe try something that isn’t a girl.”

I look back through the glass. “I'll consider that too.”

Jade laughs.

Mr. Harris shakes his head and walks back toward his desk.

I lift the camera again.

Click.

“Mr. Lane.”

I lower it. “Yes, sir?”

“Something else.”

“Yes, sir.”

33

PREP WORK

Jade

The first few days after Tessa was attacked are strange. I don’t understand why assault charges were not being brought, or why those three aren’t banned from playing at all. Dad tells me to let the coaches handle it and focus on the next game.

That doesn’t make me less angry when Tessa is using crutches; well, she did at home, but she wears a boot at school. But when we walk, well, I walk, she struts, but doesn’t like me to point it out, which of course I do; it’s freaking funny.

But as soon as we walk in and pass the men’s locker room our guys are standing there waiting.

Friday night the boys won again. Tessa’s Mom was there and we sat with her, she’s beautiful and adores Tessa. When my eyes aren’t on Tommy, I occasionally scan the crowd to see if I can pick out Tommy’s parents but have no luck.

Well, that’s not true; I have plenty of luck. I got two J’s thrown at me and a crazy kiss that included picking me up and spinning me around while I held on to his shoulder pads. So yeah, I am so lucky to be the girl Tommy Lane decided he wanted to get to know.

I look around the parking lot and don’t see Dad’s truck.