lovely | thirteen reasons why

(11) december

Jess broke into giggles. "I would love to, Libby. Thank you!"

She shook her head. "Jess, you don't have to thank me for this-"

Jess cut her off. "Not for the idea. Thank you for coming over all the time. Thank you for talking to me about whatever I want. Thank you for being so patient with me. I think you might be my best friend."

Libby paused. "I think you might be mine too."

The drive to Liberty was quick. Libby did not have the patience today.

However, her mood turned to intrigue at her locker when she saw two girls in the grade younger staring at her intently. One of the girls was Valeria Rosario, the cheerleader who was talking to Melissa Gardner the other day, but the other girl was someone far more recognizable to her. Estela de la Cruz, Monty's little sister. She was not a cheerleader, but she looked to be friends with Val. Libby only vaguely recalls how close the two are from Monty, but he gets very protective when discussing his family. Finally, she saw Estela dragging Val over to her.

"Hello!" Estela greeted first.

Libby was confused by the intrusion. "Can I help you?"

She turned to her friend. "You can help her. Val wanted to ask you for a favor. Cheerleader to cheerleader."

Libby hummed. "We've never spoken before."

Val sighed. "You're close to Zach Dempsey, right?"

Libby thought for a moment. "I mean, kind of? We're getting on better terms now."

"Excellent!" Estela cheered. "And is he single?"

Libby nodded. "As long as I've known him, yes."

Val smiled. "As a fellow cheerleader......would you be willing-would you mind-"

Estela rolled her eyes. "Can you set them up for the winter formal next week?"

Libby's eyes widened. "You want me to set your friend up on a date with Zach Dempsey? Why me?"

Val explained. "You're friends with him. And you are also the most understanding person on the squad so I thought you'd be the best option to talk to him."

She shook her head. "Have you even spoken to the man before?"

Val nodded. "We have AP Chem together. Get partnered sometimes. He's really cute and really sweet."

Estela continued. "And she can't be the one to ask him cause she's a year younger. So will you do it?"

Libby thought about it. Fuck it! Why not? She has nothing else happening these days, and maybe a new girl in his life could get Zach to quit his hopeless crush on her. "Sure, why not?"

The girls squealed. "Really?"

Libby nodded with a smile. They looked so happy it was hard not to. But that smile faded as Monty marched up to them with a sneer. "Stel, what the fuck have I told you about talking to my friends?"

Libby snorted. "We're friends?"

Monty rolled his eyes. "What have I told you about talking to the women I've fucked?"

"At least that's true I guess." She muttered in response.

Estela rolled her eyes. "I'm helping out Val, Mont. My friend! I understand your confusion, you don't have any!"

"I have more than you!" He bit back. "And Val can do better than a pussy like Dempsey! I told you this when you asked me!"

"Fuck you!" She cursed as the two walked away, getting what they wanted.