Page 59 of I Wish You All the Best

Of course, there isn’t much he doesn’t look good in. He’s totally one of those kinds of people. Who could wear the absolute ugliest thing in the world and make it some fashion statement.

I really need to talk to Hannah about new clothes. For now, I’ll have to settle with the usual; at least I still have a few shirts that don’t have dried paint on them.

“Do you need my debit card?” Hannah asks. I almost blow my cover before I remember I told her I’m hanging out with Nathan tonight. So not a total lie.

“No, we’re just going over to his house.” I scratch at my nose, bending over to pick up my shoes.

“Okay.” Hannah leans against the doorframe. “Where are you really going?”

“What?” There’s no way she can tell I’m lying.

“Please, I’m your sister. Now, where are you really going?”

“I told you—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. Trust me, I lied enough to Mom and Dad to know.” She takes a seat next to me on the bed. “So spill.”

“There’s a party.”

“Alcohol? Don’t lie to me.”

“Yes.” I stare at the floor.

“Oh, Ben.”

“I’m sorry. Don’t be mad.”

Hannah lets out this low laugh, which seems weird for her. “Please, I’m not mad. I’m your sister. I did a lot worse shit when I was your age.”

I stop myself from saying I know.

“Are you actually going to drink anything?” she asks.

“Don’t know. I hadn’t really planned on it.”

“Is Nathan?”

“I don’t think so, he’s supposed to drive us.”

Hannah looks me over from head to toe. “Oh, hon. I’m not letting you go to a party dressed like that, come on.” She grabs my hand and leads me down the hall to her room. “I know you’re taller than I am, but my pants should fit you better than whatever those are.” She points to my jeans.

“You bought them,” I argue.

“Well, if I’d known you’d be going to parties we would’ve gone shopping sooner. You have to look good tonight!” Hannah leaves me standing at the foot of her bed and opens the sliding doors of her closet. “I remember my first party.”

“How do you know this is my first?” I ask.

Then Hannah gives me a look. The raised eyebrow, sideways smile sort. And I can’t help but feel insulted. Don’t get me wrong, this is my first party. But her lack of confidence feels sort of like a slap to the face.

“The shirt’s fine, but yeah, the pants need to go.” She turns on her heels and digs around in her closet for a few seconds. “Haven’t worn these in years.” She tosses a pair of dark black jeans onto the bed. “Or these.” Another pair on the bed.

When she’s done, there are five pairs for me to try on. “I don’t know about this, Hannah.” She shoves the pile into my hands and pushes me toward the bathroom.

“Come on, can’t be any worse than what you’ve got on.”

I would argue, but I have a sinking suspicion she’s right. I go for the black pair first, since those seem the nicest and most “party appropriate.” I try not to think about the fact that I’m nearly the same size as my sister, or that her old jeans apparently fit me really well, even if I do feel them sliding off my hips a bit. I eye myself in the mirror, focusing on the way they hug my legs. I turn, trying to see how the back fits me.

“Hannah?” I call for her.