“You didn’t eat?” I look at the clock. It’s just after eight. “You still have time.” The cafeteria for our dorm doesn’t close until nine.
“Oh, I’ll just eat something here.”
All we have are old granola bars and some saltines.
“I’ll go down with you.”
She shakes her head. “Everything will be picked over.”
“There will beice cream.” I sing “ice cream.” Half the time, that’s what Deena gets for her entree anyway.
“True.” She gives me a devious little smile.
“Come on.”
* * *
“You knowwhat you should totally do now?”
“What?” This ought to be good. Deena’s always got new ways to make me do stupid stuff.
“You should stop over at your brother’s place and ask him about his job interview.”
There’s no need for that. He already sent me a text thanking me for cleaning his room. In my response to him, I told him he’d better spill the beans to Mom about his interview or I was going to use it against him. His response? “LOL”
I guess he doesn’t fear Mom like I do.
He should.
“I don’t need to do that.”
“Need?” she scoffs. “This isn’t aboutneed, silly Becklyn. This is about creating opportunities to seethat man. That hot, hot man.”
She’s right about one thing. I would like to see him again. “I’d like to start boxing.”
“Like punching stuff?” Even her frown is pretty.
“Yes. It was fun.” And a good workout. “And Lucky boxes.”
“Oh.” She smiles slyly. “I get it.”
She doesn’t. Not really.
“Where does he work out?”
“Smith’s Gym.”
“I’ve heard of that place. I think they have fitness classes there too.” She taps her chin. “Hang on.” She reaches into her purse for her phone. I watch as she taps away. “Ooh, they have a student special.”
I probably can’t afford it no matter how special the special is.
“Buy one membership, get one free.”
“Wow.” That’s a good special.
“I’ll join, and you can go for free.”
Deena can definitely afford to join. Her allowance from her parents is ridiculous. Still. “No.” I shake my head. “That’s not—”
