“No, thanks. Jessica’s mom is taking us skating today.”
I waited, thinking of a way to turn her down if an invitation followed, but none came. I tried not to think of why that hurt my feelings. I didn’t even want to go. “Okay, then… see you later.”
“Bye!” she yelled with a cheery wave.
My steps were slow, and I still wore a frown by the time I reached the front door. However, my sadness melted away the moment I stepped outside and saw the eager expressions on Vaughn and Ever’s faces. Jason, I suppose, was still somewhere sulking. I’d go after him but I’d learned the hard way that it was better to let him stew until he was ready to get over whatever was eating him.
I couldn’t quite claim Jason as part of my tribe since I was still feeling him out. He was always so closed off, and when he did open up, it was usually out of anger. Maybe one day I’d find out what Jason’s deal was, but right now, I couldn’t be bothered. Glancing at Ever, I quickly averted my gaze, hiding my blush when he smiled.
Clearly, I had my own issues to sort out.
“Is your cousin still staying with you this summer?” Vaughn asked Ever as we made glue and glitter bombs with the balloons Vaughn had managed to procure. Summer had just begun, but Tommy Vann, one of our classmates, hadn’t wasted time terrorizing everyone on the playground. He’d also been talking crap about me, and I was determined to shut him up once and for all. The guys offered to kick his ass again, but I had a better idea. Everyone had a role in our tight-knit crew. I was the brains, and they were the brawn.
“I’m not sure,” Ever grumbled. “He got into trouble again, so my aunt and uncle grounded him for the summer.”
“What did he do this time?” Jason questioned through his chortles. His mood had improved considerably since we left his house. Maybe the promise of taking his anger out on someone more deserving had cheered him up. “Moon the cafeteria ladies again?”
I frowned as I wondered why someone would flash their butt to strangers? It wasn’t the first time I’d heard about Ever’s cousin, and the stories only seemed to get wilder with each telling. I grimaced. Not for the first time that day I felt a warmth spread across my lower stomach accompanied by a dull ache.
“He got caught playing seven minutes in heaven with some eighth-grader’s boob.”
Vaughn and Jason roared uncontrollably as they high-fived each other. I, on the other hand, didn’t find a damn thing funny. Ever’s cousin sounded like a real tool, and I was glad he was staying far away this summer. I had enough trouble keeping these three in line. I didn’t need some outsider getting them riled and stirring up trouble.
We finished filling the balloons and carefully sorted and loaded them into the empty backpacks we’d brought.
The park was pretty full on a summer afternoon, but I wouldn’t let that deter me. Olivia, back from skating with Jessica and the rest of her friends, was across the park near the hopscotch. They were all huddled together, whispering and giggling about something or someone I couldn’t see. I didn’t dare look their way and risk making eye contact with one of Olivia’s friends. There were only ever two reactions—eagerness to make me one of them or disgust because I wasn’t.
I met Ever, Vaughn, and Jason’s stares as they dutifully waited for my command and realized they were likely the only friends I’d ever have. Surprisingly, on the heels of that epiphany was acceptance. Why have a ton of “friends” who wanted to change you when you could have three who accepted you as you are?
It certainly saved me cash at Christmastime.
“Tommy will be here any minute. Jason, you stay here and give the signal when you see him coming. Give two short whistles if he’s alone and a long one if he’s got company.” I waited for his nod before turning to Ever and Vaughn. “You two take the glue bombs. One of you take cover over there,” I directed, pointing at the tree on the other side of the path. “The other will take cover here.”
“What will you do?” Ever asked with his hands tucked in his pockets.
I tossed a glitter bomb in the air and caught it as I grinned. I then pointed at the tree branch hanging over our heads. “I’m going to rain fire from above.”
Tommy wouldn’t know what hit him. Literally.
Ever grinned back, and with the rope I brought, I hurriedly bent to loop it through the bucket’s handle before he could see my blush. It seemed that was all I did lately, but at least I was good at hiding it. He moved to help me carry the bucket once I was finished, but I gave him a curt shake of my head.
With his hands up in surrender, he backed away a few paces, and I felt like I could breathe again. I knew I was acting weird, and Ever, despite his nerve-racking recklessness, was sharp enough to notice. He was also too polite to call me out on it in front of an audience.
Careful to avoid eye contact, I tied the other end of the rope around my waist before climbing the tree. Ever had taught me how to climb, and I used to spend hours in a tree, hiding from my parents, and Ever… he was always there to keep me company. I never minded because he never pried, and I was more grateful for his silence than having a shoulder to cry on. I wrinkled my nose at the thought as I climbed to the second branch overhanging the path and pulled the bucket the rest of the way while the guys took cover. Some of the glitter had spilled, but that was okay. I had plenty.
We were on the backside of the park where Tommy liked to wreak havoc with his own crew. I’m sure he’d even come to think of it as his territory.
Well, it was ours now.
Jason released two sharp whistles, and I was almost disappointed that this would be easier than I thought. His cronies wouldn’t be around to witness what I had in store, so I guess the entire playground would have to do.
A second later, I spotted Tommy’s mop of brown curls and his cheeks covered in chocolate as he demolished a candy bar he probably stole from one of the smaller kids on his way in. It was funny that he never tried that on someone his own size.
I checked Vaughn and Ever’s hiding spots, but I couldn’t see either of them. Not until it was too late. Vaughn emerged first, and that wicked arm of his had Tommy’s entire right side covered in glue before I could blink. A shocked Tommy released his grip he had on the candy bar when Ever emerged. My best friend took his time as a wicked grin spread his lips slowly. I watched as Tommy’s eyes bulged, and his mouth dropped in horror. Big mistake. Ever’s first balloon hit Tommy square in the face. Jason, who’d been tiptoeing behind Tommy, joined in. It wasn’t long before Tommy was pelted with glue bomb after glue bomb. It wasn’t until Ever glanced up at the tree with a look that said “Well?” that I jumped into action. By now, Tommy was covered head to toe in glue. He looked like a big white blob.
“Hey, Tommy?” I called down.
He struggled to lift his head, and I stifled a giggle when all I could make out underneath all that glue was the blue of his eyes.
“Who’s the girl now?” Without warning, I tipped over the bucket, and his cry of terror was cut short as a waterfall of sparkly pink glitter rained down on him.
The boys could barely contain themselves and were bent over, clutching their stomachs as I climbed down from the tree. When Tommy started to cry, I actually started to feel bad, but I knew that showing mercy would only prove his point. Instead, I chose to prove mine.