“I’m happy too, even if it is under shitty circumstances. Kalen did have to drag me here though.”
“He doesn’t seem so bad – typical rich boy – but not bad. I’m glad you’re happy. But watch out for Aadi. He hasn’t forgotten about Christmas morning, and he may be planning a surprise for your boy.”
“I could tell by the look in his eyes. He thinks he’s sneaky, but he can’t fool me.”
Smalls laughs. He has always tried to be Switzerland between our pranks.
“Can I ask you something?” Smalls asks hesitantly.
“Sure. Shoot.” I try to keep my tone neutral but a little dread creeps in. I hope he’s not going to question my relationship with the guys.
“Are you coming back? Here, I mean. When you graduate?”
“I—”
“I thought so. It’s okay you know. I could tell. You were just so damn eager to get on that plane when that teacher dude showed up. You practically ran for the door.”
“It wasn’t like that. At all.”
“Amelie, you’re a runner. Shit got real with your dad, and instead of sorting it out like an adult, you ran like a baby.”
“First, babies can’t run.”
“You sound like that asshole downstairs.”
“And second, it wasn’t like that at all. They told me that the teacher died. Hedied, Smalls. And while I logically know that you can’t die from eating a few dozen cookies with Weed in them, I...I wanted to save you.”
“The dude was diabetic or had some underlying medical condition. That’s why he died.”
“It doesn’t matter. I thought you were going to prison if I told the truth, and I couldn’t handle that.” I pause and consider his words. Then I confess, “I ran when Onyx was hurt too. Not when I found him. But when help came and they said he might not make it, I?—”
“Sssh, it’s okay. I can understand that with everything that’s happened to you. He will too. But are you telling me that the only reason you went back was because you were trying to save me?”
I shrug. I mean, I’m glad I did. But it’s not theonlyreason.
“You know I’d do it a hundred times over for you and Aadi. But I also have unfinished business.”
“With them?”
“With Laura.”
“Amelie—”
“No. She has to pay for what she’s done.”
Smalls sighs but nods his head in acceptance.
“Now can I ask you a question?”
“Shoot.”
“What’s with all the dodgy types at the funeral?”
“I don’t know, I can’t control who comes to the guy’s send off can I?” He looks away and I can tell he’s lying to, the question is why. I decide to let it go for now.
“Will you wait for me to shower?” He asks, changing the topic and lumbering to his feet. I nod and he walks away.
While he’s gone, I look around his room. Not much has changed since we moved here. There’s fewer posters of half-naked women on his walls and a bigger bed now, but that’s all.
