Stephanie and I separate at the intersection near our houses before she turns around and says, “We’ll have to stand up to Paige at some point, Chrissy.”
I know she’s right, but I’m not ready yet. Not today or any other day.
When I get home, I drop my bookbag onto the floor. “Mom, dad, I’m home.”
“We’re in the living room, honey.”
I walk in, and my stomach plummets to the floor. Sitting on our couch right next to my parents and Noah, are Mr. and Mrs. Pearson—and Theo!
Mom’s face lights up as she looks at me. “The Pearsons are going to stay with us for a bit. Their water pipe broke during remodeling, and there’s been some flooding.”
My mouth hangs open, but no words come out. I’m too busy staring at Theo, who casually waves a hand at me.
“Hey, Chrissy,” he says.
This can’t be real.
Chapter 5
Of all the ideas my parents have conceived over the years, this must be the worst one yet—for me, at least.
Lingering there completely stunned, I take a moment to absorb the fact that Theo-freaking-Pearson is going to be living under the same roof as me, and the contents of my stomach creep up my throat like I’ve just plummeted down the first hill of a roller coaster.
I wrap my arms around myself, trying to contain the panic growing inside. I’d strategized everything so intricately—blend into the background, focus on grades, avoid spotlight. Now? I’ll have to share a bathroom with the walking definition of unnecessary attention.
My safe haven, my sanctuary from the social battlefield of high school, invaded by Theo and his impossible-to-ignore presence. My cheeks burst into flames at the possibility of him witnessing my morning zombie shuffle to the bathroom, hair sticking up in fifty different directions.
And what if he brings even a fraction of his social circle into my orbit? I fear my days of cruising under anyone’s radar are over. This arrangement isn’t just inconvenient—it’s a disaster in the making.
Theo’s mom pulls me out of my thoughts by flinging her arms around me in a close hug. “Just look at you, Chrissy,” she says, giving me a good squeeze. “You’re all grown up—and so pretty.”
I manage a smile. “Thanks, Mrs. Pearson.”
“It’s been way too long,” she says, stepping back with a wistful expression.
She’s right. I haven’t seen Theo’s family in years, but with their new house only a short distance away, that’s all about to change.
Theo’s dad shakes my hand with a friendly grin, and then my dad dives into a discussion about the sleeping arrangements.
“The guest bedroom downstairs will be for you both,” dad says to Mr. and Mrs. Pearson, “and we’ll put Theo in the spare room upstairs. It’s right down the hall from Chrissy’s room.”
Oh, sure, what a fantastic idea!
Why wasn’t I consulted about this? I look at mom, whose face makes it clear my wardrobe choices are under scrutiny now that a boy is to live with us.
I sigh. Goodbye my days of comfort and walking around in underwear. Goodbye ketchup-stained T-shirts and frizzy hair. As the French would put it, I bid you adieu.
Theo turns to me with a playful smirk, amusement evident in his eyes. “Told you we’d talk later.”
That’s not the kind of “talk later” I had envisioned. He could’ve warned me.
“Are you two getting along well in school?” Theo’s mom asks, her eyes darting between the two of us.
I toss Theo a “Care to take this one?” look.
He hesitates for a moment. “Um . . . yeah, but we barely see each other. Different classes and all.” He gives a casual shrug.
Different classes?Yeah, right!—more like different social standings.
