“You’ve never been there?” I gasp.
Brennan’s lips tug up to one side. “I take it you have.”
“Yeah, we used to live there,” I say. Then I catch Gavin giving me a subtle but very distinct look of warning.
“I didn’t realize you were from LA,” Callie says, taking turns looking at me and Gavin.
“That was a while ago,” Gavin says, shifting in his seat. He’s not wrong. We’ve only been away a couple days, but already it seems like a distant memory.
“I’ve been to LA a few times,” Callie says. “When I’m there, I realize how much I’m not cut out for city life. Everything is so spread out, people are constantly in a hurry to get somewhere, and there’s always traffic on the 405 freeway, no matter what time of day it is.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right,” I say wistfully. God, I miss the chaos.
“What are you and your family going to do together?” Callie asks, turning her attention to Brennan. Even though I was hoping for Callie not to ask more about our lives in LA, it’s weirding me out that she’s able to move on from it so quickly. In my mind LA is the only city worth living in. It’s the center of my universe, and it’s throwing me off to know it’s not everyone’s center of the universe.
“My sister is ten, and she’s dying to go to Disneyland. We’re going to surprise her by going there.”
It’s one of my biggest pet peeves when people assume Disneyland is in LA. Anaheim is in Orange County, which, I cannot stressenough, is not the same as Los Angeles. But when Brennan says it, I don’t feel the urge to correct him. His expression is so genuine, so sincere, like spring mountain water that’s naturally pure and doesn’t need to go through a filtration process to be drinkable. Maybe it’s because I never had one, but knowing Brennan is a thoughtful older brother makes him even more appealing.
“I’m so relieved you’re able to fill in for Brennan,” Callie says, putting a hand on my arm. “I was about to skip next week, but honestly we need the funds. I’m so glad I won’t have to now that you can come.”
“Me too,” I say, not quite matching Callie’s level of enthusiasm.
After we finish our drinks, we throw our cups away in the trash receptacle and make our way out of the cafeteria and into the lobby of the observatory.
“This was fun,” Brennan says.
“Next time you should try the food. The chefs are quite innovative. It’s impressive what they do with what we have,” Callie explains.
“She’s right. My understanding of space discovery isn’t the only thing that’s grown since I started my internship.” For added emphasis Brennan pats his gut, which, as far as I can tell, is nonexistent. “That’s why I started running.”
“Me too.” Gavin perks up.
“You toowhat?” I’m compelled to ask.
“I like to run,” Gavin confirms.
“Since when?” I wrinkle my nose at him. Doesn’t exercise release endorphins or make people, you know, less uptight?
Gavin ignores me and looks at Brennan. “We should go running together sometime.”
“I’d love that,” Brennan says.
While they make plans to meet up, I press my lips together toprevent them from forming a pout. It should be me Brennan is making plans to meet up with. Not Gavin.
Since Callie and Brennan have to stay for their shifts at the observatory, Gavin and I walk back home. On our way down the dirt road, I’m still thinking about how my plan went so wrong.
Gavin glances my way. “Cheer up,” he says, more sarcastic than sincere. “You’ve never been to a farmer’s market. You might actually like it.”
“Yeah, I won’t be going to that.”
“What?” His head jerks back. “Why not?”
“We won’t be here next Saturday, remember?”
“Oh.” His face falls at the reminder. Though why he’s sad about it is beyond me. “Why didn’t you tell Callie you couldn’t make it, then?”
“I didn’t want to let her down, not after she seemed so happy. Anyway, don’t worry. I’ll make up a good excuse by the time we leave.”
