"Real mature!" I call out. They laugh.
Three laps before I cut off their escape. I grab Jack by the upper arm, but Liam slips past, wild grin on his face.
"Jack. Liam. Inside," I bark. "We're going to get in trouble."
"Bet you can't catch him," Jack says. "Go, Liam, go!"
I let go of Jack and go after Liam. He's fast, years of running from trouble, but I'm taller and faster. When I catch him, I clamp a hand around his upper arm and hold him to my chest.
"Do you ever listen, you little fucker?" I’m breathless.
He shakes his head. "Rarely." He’s shivering, but his eyes are bright.
Then, we hear, loud and clear:
"What in God's name is going on out here?"
Bill. One of the few guards most kids actually like. Standing in the doorway, his uniform darkening with raindrops as he steps partially outside. Receding black hair going gray, round stomach, big mustache. He's been good to me since day one.
"Perry and Marsal refused to come inside," I explain.
"Hey! Don't blame it on us," Jack says, laughing.
"Yeah, Mr. Leader, you were also playing in the rain," Liam says.
"I was not. I was trying to get you." Even I can hear how weak that sounds.
Bill surveys the scene. Sighs, but smiles. "You boys got about thirty seconds of fun left before I have to write this up. Make it count."
I stare at him. He looks amused, probably clocking my expression. "Sometimes you gotta let the small stuff slide, kid. You boys face enough hard edges in this place."
Before I can respond, Jack lets out a whoop and grabs Liam's hand, pulling him into a spinning, slipping dance through the puddles. Two kids, holding hands, jumping in puddles. I step back under the overhang, already soaked, doesn't matter anymore.
Miles stands beside me. He looks at me. "You could join them."
"You could too."
"Nah," he says.
"Come on, Ethan, live a little!" Liam shouts, and he sounds like a puppy begging for attention.
I sigh. Then, step forward. Then another step. I know I'mlying when I tell myself I don't want this.
The rain pounds against me.
Jack notices first, his spinning slowing. He makes a shocked face. I roll my eyes. It’snotthat shocking. Liam follows his gaze. His expression is ridiculous with happiness.
I stop a few feet away, rain streaming down my face.
"Well?" Jack challenges, water dripping from his chin. "You gonna drag us in or what?"
"I should." Instead, I kick my foot sideways, sending a spray of water toward them both.
Jack laughs, stomps into a puddle, sends water back at me. I don't dodge it. The cold splash hits, and I laugh. Liam stares at me like I've grown a second head.
"What are you doing?" he asks.
"Breaking a stupid rule," I say.
