"He doesn't get a lot of sun. So what?"
"Plus, you are the company you keep, and…" I gesture toward Dax with my left hand while taking a bite of my fries with my right.
I didn't realize how starved I was.
"Whatever."
"I have this friend…" I pause, drinking my soda. "And he told me that his cousin saw Nolan eat a bird's head."
He laughs before choking on his burger. "I'm sorry—what?"
"That's what I heard."
"Whatexactlydid he say happened?"
"He just said Nolan grabbed a bird with his bare hands and bit its head off. Blood, feathers—the whole thing."
"What kind of bird?"
"I didn't ask. What difference does that make? Is it true or not?"
"He never mentioned it."
"But you're not one hundred percent sure it isn't real? That's pretty telling."
"I'm ninety-nine percent sure he'd mention if he ate a bird's head in front of some kid, yeah."
"Because he's your boyfriend?"
Dax narrows his eyes. "You're nosey. Maybe I shouldn't have played this game with you."
"Well, is he?"
"We're not just friends. I don't really see the point of just friends, do you?"
"I mean, yeah…I don't really have any, but yes, I seethe pointof friends."
"If you like somebody so much, why wouldn't you also get them off?"
His logic is ridiculous, but it doesn't surprise me. "So then, you're saying you get all your friends off?"
"Not Elias. That's what you're asking, right?"
"Then you do see the point of friends."
"I guess sexual orientation limits my philosophy," he says. "I want to be your friend, too, Saige."
"Why does Nolan wear pants and hoodies all summer?" I ask, ignoring him.
"None of your business. That's not about me, so I don't have to answer. Don't ask him, either, though. Also, don't ever ask him something stupid like,Aren't you hot in that?" he says in a mocking tone. "He hates that shit. And he might eat your head."
"Well,isn't hefucking hot wearing that shit all summer?"
"Ridiculous question. Of course he is; it's a million fucking degrees. He's not some kind of superhero. But that's his choice—I don't ask you if the breeze feels good on your ass cheeks in those shorts, do I? No, because I respect your fashion choices."
I shake my head, remembering what Elias had said when I was digging around under that chair for my phone earlier. "I'm never wearing these shorts again."
"Why does Elias hate you so much?"
