“Listen to me.”She turned my cheek to face her as I tried to look away.“You can’t almost get yourself killed and start singing songs about it. You do that. Almost every time and you never remember.”
“Really? I do that?”I furrowed my brows when she nodded.“I don’t remember. Are the songs good? Are you mad at me?”
“I’m not mad.”She kinda almost smiled, and I smiled back.“I’m just looking out for you. And making sure everyone else knows how to, if they really wanna help.”
“I do,”Dennissaid.“That’s why I asked.”
“See? No one’s mad. You know I love you. And the songs are always horrible.”
“I know you love me. I love you too.”I grinned and threw my arms around her, then froze at a bright movement.“Don’t move.”I slowly backed out of the hug. The small light stopped over astack of Dennis’ books.“It’s back again,”I whispered, pointing to the orb. I smiled when it didn’t leave this time.“It changed color.”
“I still don’t see anything,”Sean said.
“You really don’t see that?”I sighed in frustration.“It’s right there. It’s right there and it’s moving.”I adjusted and kneeled on the couch to catch it. But just before my fingers closed around it Ari pulled me back down.
“You’re gonna fall.”
I tried again but she pulled me down a second time.“I was trying to touch it! You made it leave,”I said sadly. Now they’ll never believe me.“It was like a snowflake but it was orange and moving around. It was really pretty.”
“You should call Dr. Kelsey in the morning.”
“She’s gonna suggest new meds or a better sleep schedule and bleh, nobody wants that.” I stuck my tongue out and made a noise. “No, thanks. Anyway, the thing is real. I dunno why you guys can’t see it.”
“Is this normal?”Mateo asked Ari. He said it quietly, like I would really miss it.
“I’m normal.I’m not seeing things,”I said firmly. Just because they can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there.
“You’re normal,”Ari agreed.“You’re fine, we know.”
“Thank you.”I smiled. At least she gets it.
“Let’s go somewhere. Just us. We need some alone time. I’m sure we can find a café or something that’s still open.”
I hopped up and glanced around the room, wondering why the guys were all being so quiet. No one was even trying to follow us this time. Mateo forced a smile as our eyes met,while Sean was maybe avoiding me? He seemed content to watch Ari find her keys. But when I looked at Dennis he didn’t bother to fake anything. His eyes were steadfast on me but not the same way as usual—it was thoughtful and calculating, like he was trying to solve ariddle.
“What?” I asked.
“Nothing,”he said.
“Are you ready?”Ari came back with her purse and keys in hand.
“Yup! Bye.” I waved before leading the way outside.
Delusions
Sometime later we were back from giggling, gossiping, and eating treats at our favorite café. I pranced up the stairs two at a time, pausing occasionally for Ari to catch up. I froze beside the pool and she crashed into me from behind. She stumbled but I didn’t move. I’m too excited to move.
“I have a brilliant idea.” I spun to face her.
“Not again,” she groaned, making a face as I bounced on my toesies. I’ve been telling her great ideas all night.
“I’m gonna cartwheel into the pool!” I shouted.“It’s gonna be a new sport and I’m gonna cartwheel. Into the pool. Into the fuckin’pool!”
“I heard you the first time. Stop shouting.”
“I’m calling it the mermaid division. Hold this?”
“No.”
