Everything is Changed by Nova Weetman Page A

we don’t see each other anymore. I told her to ask you.’
    He’s shaking his head like what I’m saying is lies. ‘Nah. She asked what happened last year. She knows something happened.’
    I knew what I said to Ellie was risky but I didn’t think she’d say anything to him. I thought she’d just forget it. I wince as I try and open my eye properly. It feels like it’s swimming in blood.
    â€˜I think you’ve blinded me …’
    â€˜Why did you tell her?’ he says.
    â€˜I didn’t tell her. I just said something bad happened.’
    â€˜Yeah, well, she wanted to know what it was and obviously I didn’t want to tell her so thanks to you, she’s dumped me.’
    â€˜Bullshit.’
    â€˜No. Not bullshit. She told me we needed a break. So thanks, Jake. Thanks a lot.’
    I reach out to touch his poxy blazer with its stupid Latin badge on the pocket. And he looks at my hand like it’s scum and jerks away.
    â€˜Is this because you like her?’
    I shake my head. ‘No. Course not.’
    â€˜You sure? You’re always a bit weird around her.’
    â€˜No. She’s your girlfriend.’ I can’t believe he suspects how I feel. I’ve always been so careful.
    â€˜Was, Jake. Was my girlfriend.’
    A young guy in a Macca’s uniform walks up and stands between us and I realise we’re still in the doorway. Nobody is coming in. Nobody is going out. Everyone is watching, waiting to see what will happen next.
    â€˜You boys need to leave. I’m calling the police,’ he says in a voice that’s cracking.
    Alex nods, deflated. ‘Yep. Sorry. We’re going now.’
    â€˜Or we could stay and let the police sort it out,’ I say, watching my friend walk off.
    The Macca’s guy touches my arm and I spin around to him. Then I see the concern in his eyes and I feel stupid.
    â€˜I’m going.’
    â€˜Do you want some ice for your eye? We’ve got plenty,’ he says with a slight smile.
    â€˜Nah. Thanks.’
    â€˜You take care.’
    I slink out through the automatic doors and into the busy street. It’s never been clearer to me that I do not belong here. Alex is sitting at the tram stop and I’m not sure if he’s waiting for me or not. I plonk down on the bench next to him. For ages we sit and watch the traffic crawling past, blaring out music and news bulletins. I’m going to let Alex talk first.
    â€˜What’d you do to your hair?’ he asks me finally.
    Instead of answering I rub my hand across the stubble on my head. It’s too hard to explain.
    â€˜Sorry about your eye,’ he says, almost looking up but not quite.
    â€˜I didn’t mean for Ellie to dump you.’
    He shrugs and I can’t read the meaning.
    â€˜It’s almost your birthday …’ I say, like he hasn’t just punched me in the face.
    â€˜Yeah … sixteen.’
    â€˜You having a party?’ I regret it as soon as the words are out of my mouth. Makes me sound like I expect an invite.
    â€˜Nah, not really …’
    I know he’s lying. Saw it on Facebook. I never post anything so he’s probably forgotten to unfriend me. ‘How’s school?’
    He laughs, making his hair flop down over his face. And as he pushes it away, I see his nails. Chewed down to the quick, like they used to be way back when his dad was hassling him all the time about marks.
    â€˜School’s school,’ he says cryptically.
    â€˜You rowing yet?’ I say lightly, with a smile.
    He shrugs, says nothing.
    â€˜Debating then. How’s that treating you?’
    The sharp look on his face tells me I’ve taken it one step too far.
    â€˜So what do you want, Jake?’
    Just the question I was hoping to avoid. I thought we could pretend we were meeting for fun, for old time’s sake.
    â€˜I found the girl’s house,’ I say quietly, not