“This is why I carefully cultivated the loser, but also scary-esque persona during my four years,” Zeb says.
I stare at him. “Motherfucker, you wereclass president,” I say.
Gemma bursts out laughing, and Zeb thumps the cigarette butt at me.
“I had a bully,” he says as if it helps his case.
“Ha. Yeah, okay,” I taunt.
“I did,” he argues. “You don’t believe me?”
I snort. “Yeah? What did your bully do? Call you a science geek?”
“Among other things,” he replies.
A tsk leaves me as I meet Gemma’s eyes, and that little smile on her lips makes me wink her way.
“Poor little popular boy,” I tease Zeb.
“I had to hide the pain behind my eyes,” he says mockingly.
“You’re fucking full of it,” I taunt.
“You were always popular,” Gemma says to me.
Zeb balks slightly, eyes wide. “Oh really?” he asks.
“I had my moments,” I agree. “There were good times along with the extra shitty ones.”
“Are you going to the reunion this year?” Gemma asks.
“Ha. Yeah, no,” I reply quickly. “Not a chance in hell that I would step back there. I’d have too many people trying to kiss my ass for concert tickets.”
“That’s true,” Gemma agrees. She mirrors me, leaning back on her elbows, and I swallow at the sight of her beauty reflected by the morning sun.
Shit, she’s pretty.
“So, tell me about this party tonight,” Gemma eventually says.
“No business,” Zeb replies.
“I’m just asking about a party,” she counters.
I smile at her trying to dodge logistics. “Maybe we should let her have thisonemorning,” I say to Zeb. “It’s only her second day. Can’t have her chasing her ass around this place.”
Zeb sighs. “Fine. This is a one-day pass. No exchanges or refunds.”
“Deal,” Gemma says. “Tell me about the party.”
Zeb and I exchange a look. “That’s really what you want to know about?” I ask.
“From every text, phone call, email, and conversation I’ve had about all of you, and from everything I’ve gathered about this festival, the party is your largest threat today. If I could tell you not to go, I probably would. The whole masks and anonymous thing… Can’t say I’m a fan.”
Zeb and I chuckle. “That’s fair,” I say.
Unless you want to hide with us, is what I really want to say.
“But I also know it would be ridiculous of me to ever think you’d stay away,” Gemma goes on. “So, I need to know what your outfits and masks look like.”
