“Mr. Hunt? Do you have a moment?”
I whip my head to the right. Joshua is frozen mid-step just a few feet away. He presses his lips together, Principal Lori’s voice echoing behind him, his eyes fixed on me.
When he opens his mouth, Principal Lori repeats, sharper this time, “Mr. Hunt. Now would be appreciated.”
His Adam’s apple bobs with his swallow. He clears his throat, hesitancy flickering behind his eyes when he looks at her. “Yes, ma’am. Of course.”
Swiping his palm across his jaw, he chances another glance my way. “I’m still picking you up later, right?” he says for my ears only. “You’ll wait for me at home?”
My chest squeezes at the vulnerability in his voice, his expression. Almost like he thinks I might disappear if he’s not with me.
I nod, hoping he believes me when I say softly, “I’m not going anywhere.”
It feels good to be creating again. I’ve hardly made anything since leaving California, but I’m inspired this week. The white, turquoise, and yellow threads weave together effortlessly, like they were waiting to be entwined. I tilt my head, staring at the bracelet. Something about the colors, the softness against my fingers as I braid each strand, reminds me of Rebecca. It matches her energy, as bright and easy as the Pacific Ocean on a sunny California day.
The thought makes me smile. Maybe this one will be for her.
When I was little, I used to fantasize about opening a shop with my mom. I never mentioned it because I know how much she hates the idea of being locked down to one location, but I can picture it so vividly sometimes. Blues and yellows, happy colors, and lots of natural light pouring inside. Mom’s crystals lining the shelves, glinting under the sunrays. The center of the shop bursting with my jewelry and clothes, and people from all over the world coming and going, leaving remnants of their essences behind. I’m not so little anymore, but I have to admit, something about the image still calls to me.
A knock pulls my gaze behind me, toward the bedroom door. I brighten when Amber pokes her head inside. We don’t really hang out, but it doesn’t matter. Ever since the day she asked me about her necklace, there’s been a natural, easy vibe between us.
“Hey,” she says, pushing a lock of black curls behind her ear and looking around my room.
“Hey. I thought you were going out of town?”
“I am. Hanging out with Kimmie tonight before the flight tomorrow. Just waiting for her to finish getting ready.” She rolls her eyes, but it’s playful. Nodding toward the desk in front of me, she asks, “What’s that?”
“A bracelet.”
“No, not that.That.”
I look again, realizing she’s referring to the video playing on my computer. Benji’s sitting on a rock by the river, his head lifted toward the sky, eyes closed. He hums whatever tune comes to him in the moment. The bohemian wrap draped over his head and shoulders covers most of his hair, making his bushy beard stand out more than usual. There’s also smoke. Lots of it.
“That’s Benji, my friend back in Cali.” I pause, listening to him hum. It’s a soothing melody, a blend of low and medium vibrations, and the sound would put me to sleep if I wasn’t waiting on Joshua. My adrenaline’s soaring way too high for me to close my eyes.
“He’s a singer?”
“When the mood strikes. This video’s from his YouTube channel. He says he can prove he hears his banjo playing even when he leaves the instrument at home, but ...”
Amber arches a brow. “But he’s just high?”
I laugh. “Always.”
She grins as the door’s shoved open the rest of the way. Kimmie grabs Amber’s hand, tugging her toward the hall.
“Come on,” Kimmie says. “We don’t have all night.”
“Are you kidding me?”
Ignoring Amber’s irritation, Kimmie glances at me. “Your boyfriend’s downstairs. I can hear him talking to my mom.”
Tiny critters jump in my stomach at that word. “W-who?”Boyfriend. I’ve never had one of those before.
“Hunt? Unless there are more guys you’ve been shacking up with all week?”
“Oh, um, nope. Just the one.” I twirl my braided hair around my fingers. “Wait, how’d you—?”
“I have ears, and my bed’s right on the other side of that wall. All I have to say is, you’re lucky Mom and Tim’s room is at the other end of the house. They wouldfreak.”
