Eighteen
We resurface in Jason’s house.
I can tell, because he’s the only person I know who has a cinema room. Also, Other Zadie and Jason are making out in the second row.
“Ah, fuck.” Marcus reacts like there’s hot sauce in his eyes.
“We’re horny teenagers. What do you expect from us?” I say, with no real bite in my voice. It’s because Marcus has turned his full attention on me—the real me—and looks like he’s trying to see through me. I tuck a falling braid back behind my ear and look at anything but him.
“How are you?” he asks, voice gentle.
“Never better!” I say. Somehow it comes out…sarcastic?
I try again. “I’m great!” I say, but it sounds too chirpy, insincere. Finally, I drop the facade. “My migraine’s gone. Thank you.”
I get a Marcus Riddick smirk for my efforts. “No, thankyou. Now I know your laundry pile is even bigger than mine.”
I frown, even though he’s kidding. “That’s not normally how it is,” I say. “It’s because I’ve been sick so often. I do laundry twice a week—once for sheets, once for clothes.”
“Sure, Cartwright.”
His grin tells me he’s toying with me, but I find myself unable to stop defending myself. It’s like a disease.
“No, seriously. I’m so good at laundry, sometimes I go over anddo Mo’s,” I say. “But lately the only times I don’t have a headache are when we’re dreaming. The pain always ends as soon as a dream starts.”
Marcus frowns. “What do you meanalways? Your headaches are bringing on the memories?”
“Well, I’ve noticed some…I’ll tell you later,” I say, as in front of us, Holden, Bennett, Amber, and Mo suddenly burst into the cinema room. Jason and Zadie pull apart. Mo and Bennett are carrying backpacks, and Amber and Holden have both come bearing trays of food.
I notice Zadie is wearing her favorite green belted wool coat, a sign that it’s cold enough for snow outside, that it’s officially winter in Sterlingwood.
“Bro, where’s everyone else? I thought you said you were having a party,” Holden says, going forward and back-thumping Jason.
Jay sighs. “I had strict orders that we were going to have a Not-Party,” he says, shooting Other Me an exaggerated sideways glance.
He and Bennett greet each other as Other Zadie says, “Well, don’t make me sound like your mother.” She’s handing out golden headbands withHappy New Yearon them.
“Not my mother. Just the old ball and chain,” Jason says.
“Jason!” Zadie cries, as Mo says, “Yeah, that’s super gross.”
Jason holds up his hands, but he’s laughing. “I kid. I kid.”
In real time, I feel compelled to tell Marcus. “That’s the kind of joke Mr.R would make.” As a defense of Jason, it falls flat.
“Oh, I know,” Marcus says, and I can’t tell what he thinks. Whether he’s judging his cousin (and uncle) for being sexist or me for tolerating it.
“He really never talks like this,” I say, right as Holden turns toMo and nods at her. “How’s life on the robotics team? That’s where you’re from, right?” Then he cracks up at his own joke.
Mo gives Zadie a wordless “Is this for real?” look, and Other Zadie pretends to kick Holden. “We’re not taking dickish behavior into the New Year,” she announces.
Beside me, Marcus snorts.
I look at him, but he’s carefully watching my friends.
Ambs, who has been quiet so far, blows a paper horn. “I actually think New Year’s is more romantic than Valentine’s Day.”
“That’s a weird take,” Jason says.
