“You shouldn’t even look at him.”
I realized I was squeezing her hand too hard as Ari pulled it away.
“Please, don’t be jealous of him.”
“I’m not stupid. I see how he looks at you.”
I tried to loosen up, but my tone was still cutting.
Ari stared at her hands for a few seconds. “I gotta go. I got math first period, and you know she hates me.” She slipped between my fingers, almost like she was fleeing from me.
“Will he be at the party too?” I asked, grabbing her by the wrist.
“Of course he will. We’ll probably go to William’s. His parents are traveling.” She laced her fingers in mine.
It was a vicious cycle. I always hoped things would change, but they never did.
“Will and June have a date tonight. If they get together, you’ll have to start considering closing the door on everything that happened last year.” I made a face, and she smiled.
“Brian?” Ari stood up and looked down at me.
“Yeah?”
“I’m coming over this afternoon. And I’m not in the mood to study.”
10
June
“What’d you say their names were?”
I was in the car with my mom, and it was like I was in third grade again.
“Amelia, Poppy, and Ari.”
“And they’re all girls?”
“Mom.”
I shouldn’t’ve lied, especially not before seeing a guy I just met, but if I’d told her I was going out with someone of the opposite sex, I’d have shot myself in the foot.
I crossed my fingers, hoping that William wasn’t a serial killer. Mom stopped in front of Tropical, looking at me suspiciously.
“Where are they?”
“Twenty-twenty-five called, Mom. Where do you think they are? They’re waiting for me inside.”
“Eleven thirty.”
I opened the door and jumped out.
As I walked into the game room, I was bombarded with lights and trippy colors. Guys and girls were drinking and leaning against the pool table; others were lining up for the bowling alley. It was a little crowded, but all in all the chatter was pleasant. I saw a few familiar faces in the crowd.
I saw someone wave then heard William’s voice. “June, I’m right here! I’m happy to see you.”
His voice mingled with the background noise as he came toward me. I smiled back at him.
He was wearing a tight-fitting T-shirt that peeked out from under an army-green jacket. He looked even hotter than usual.
