“Oh yeah,” I said quickly. “But you know, they’re not—well. They’re more people to gooutwith, you know? Not, like, stay home and watch a movie.”
“True,” he said slowly. “They are a little... But I thought you liked that? Or you didn’t mind being home alone?”
“Yeah. It’s fine. They’re fun. Sometimes I do want someone to just hang out with, though.” And Noah had been my person to be low-key with, hanging out in one of our living rooms or at Grandma and Grandpa’s before they’d moved full-time to Nantucket.
He nodded several times, wearing his thinking face. “The good thing about college is if you like to stay in and watch TV constantly, so do a million other kids you can be friends with. I know it sounds dumb when the parents say ‘It’s a fresh start,’ but it really can be. You can be whoever you want.”
I swallowed. “That sounds nice.”
And it did. I didn’thaveto be silent all the time, because I was nervous about how people would interpret what I would say. I could try being friendlier, more outgoing. If people didn’t know how out of character it was for me, maybe it wouldn’t feel so embarrassing to text people and ask them to hang out.
“Look,” Noah said, leaning forward. “What’s going on with you and Tyler?”
“Uh.” I fumbled my piece of toast. “Hmm?”
“It’s not my business. But. You guys are spending a lot of time together, and last time...”
“Last time I was a kid.”
Noah scowled. “You were really upset.”
“It was a long time ago. I overreacted.”
“He’s not—if you want—he’s not the kind of guy who wants a girlfriend.”
“No, Iknow,” I said emphatically. “That’s not what we’re doing.”
Noah set down his fork. “I don’t want to know.”
“No! Noah—he’s teaching me to flirt,” I blurted out.
Noah blinked. “What?”
Oh my god. I couldn’t believe I had admitted that toNoah. How embarrassing. “Never mind.”
“He’s teaching you to...” Noah’s expression turned thunderous. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
“Forget I said anything.”
“Shira, you don’t”—he made a frustrated noise and raked a hand through his hair—“you don’t make good choices about Tyler.”
“Thanks a lot!”
“I’m not trying to be mean. You have a blind spot around him. You like him too much.”
“I don’t like him,” I hissed. “We’re not doing anything. And even if we were, you’re right, it’s not your business. It wouldn’t affect you at all.”
His voice softened. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I’m... I hate when you’re sad, Shira.”
“Oh.” That... was actually kind of sweet. “Well, you don’t have to worry. I’ll be okay.”
“Okay,” he said. “Okay.”
“Besides,” I said, “I like Isaac.”
Noah’s mouth fell open.“What?”
His reaction was so over-the-top that I started giggling, and then he started laughing, and then everything was all right between us.
