“Great.” Ophelia grins. “So you’ll go to the game!”
“I didn’t buy tickets,” I lie. “So even if I wanted to—”
“We have an extra! You can sit with us.” Odette smirks. “We were supposed to take our second-cousin Molly, but she’s a total drag. Our Mom will let us ditch her if we explain the direness of your situation.”
“But I really—”
“We’ll pick you up!” Ophelia announces, pushing off her locker. “You live over by Crow Island, right? The big house on the point?”
“Um, yes, but—”
“Cool. See you at seven!” Odette calls over her shoulder as she walks away, after her sister.
“Bring beverages!” Ophelia tacks on, just before they step around the corner, out of sight.
For a second, I just stand there, totally frozen, wondering what the hell just happened.
Why do I feel like I’ve been bamboozled into something I never wanted in the first place?
* * *
The following evening,I pace back and forth on the front steps of Cormorant House. It’s hot outside, a muggy late-May evening. Sweat dots my brow. I’m wearing bright white sneakers with my favorite jean cut-off shorts — the ones with ripped hems I bought forever ago. They’re a little tighter than they were last summer, riding high on my thighs, but I didn’t have time to upend my closet in search of a looser pair. At least the dark green t-shirt is breathable, hanging loosely around my sides. The front bears an image of a howling wolf — Exeter’s official mascot.
I glance at my watch.
7:07PM.
They’re late.
A fissure of nerves spikes through me. Maybe they aren’t coming. Maybe they werenevercoming. Maybe this was all just some elaborate prank to make me feel like an idiot and—
The outer gate buzzes.
I race to the intercom box embedded by the front door and punch in the access code. A few moments later, a custom-painted bubblegum-pink Range Rover rolls up the circular driveway, braking to a halt at the bottom of the steps. The passenger window rolls down. Odette sticks her head out.
“Will you be myValentine?” she sing-songs, grinning.
I roll my eyes, laughing as I jog down the steps. The plastic grocery bag swings with each step. I wince as its weight clangs against my kneecap.
“You brought beverages?” Ophelia asks, turning to face me once I’m settled in the back seat.
I hold up the bag. “Grapefruit seltzer.”
The twins look at each other and burst into raucous laughter.
“She broughtseltzer!” Odette wheezes.
“Cutest thing I’veeverheard!” Ophelia snorts.
My brows lift. “Did I do something wrong? I can get regular water if you guys don’t like bubbles…”
For whatever reason, this makes the twins laugh even harder.
“Don’t worry, Josie.” Odette’s finally calmed down enough to speak. “You don’t mind if we call you Josie, right?”
I sort ofdomind, but I don’t say anything. In my experience, when the popular kids pick a nickname for you, there’s very little point in protesting.
“Anyways…” She fixes her lipgloss in her handheld mirror. “Like I was saying, don’t worry about it — we brought extra.”