Jasmine’s already trying to talk to me while I’m still adjusting my hearing aids.
“—awesome. Right?”
It was awesome: Bowie had a terrific meet, placing first in three events and even setting a new personal record. And Liam? He took first in five. That’s not even counting the relays.
“Yeah.” I nod at the shmoodie sheusurpedgrabbed. “I can take that.”
“Oh, I don’t mind.” She shakes her hair off her face and watches the doors, bouncing on her toes.
Finally Bowie emerges, flanked by their parents; Liam’s not far behind, his swim bag slung over his shoulders. He jogs over while Bowie is stuck saying bye to their parents.
“Hey. You came.”
He’s looking at me, but Jasmine says, “Of course I did!” and shoves his shmoodie at him.
“Oh. Uh. Thanks.” He looks from her back to me; I give him a little shrug.
“It’s—”
“Peanut butter and banana,” Jasmine answers.
“And spinach.”
“Mmm.” Liam shakes it and pops the top to taste it while Bowie finally joins us. I high-five them, pull them into a hug, and hand over their shmoodie.
“You did great,” I sign. “Proud of you.”
“Thanks. If I can shave another second off my fly, I can set a new pool record.”
“You can do it.”
Bowie turns back to Liam. “You ready to go?” they ask aloud.
Liamlicks the shmoodie off his lips andnods.
“Oh. You three going somewhere?” Jasmine asks.
“Perkins. Don’t worry, I can get a ride home from Bowie.”
She plays with her hair. “What, is this an exclusive thing?”
I blink at her. It’s not exclusive so much as it’s a thing me and Bowie always do, and I invited Liam this time since we’re friends now.
“You don’t want to be those two’s third wheel, do you?” she asks Liam, gesturing between me and Bowie. “I can somethingsomething.”
Liam purses his lips and glances toward me, but Jasmine says something else and he follows her toward the parking lot.
“What just happened?” I ask Bowie.
Their eyebrows raise. “She said she’d drive us.”
“Great.”
We pack into Jasmine’s car: Liam in shotgun, since he’s got the longest legs, and me right behind him since I’m the shortest (not counting Jasmine). Jasmine immediately engages him in conversation I can’t make out.
Bowie turns to me. “What is she doing?”
I sigh. “She has a crush.”
