Eleven
Lexi and I meet at the pool after I get home. The water feels amazing after burning up on Emergent’s rooftop, then riding home on the light rail. I spent the entire train ride cringing as I replayed how I’d insulted Carlos.
“So do you still want to quit your job?” Lexi asks. We’re treading water in the deep end, ignoring the crazy kids splashing around us.
“No.”
Her eyebrows lift in surprise, then she swims off to the edge after a rambunctious boy splashes her in the face. I follow her and we perch on the ledge, our sparkling rainbow fingernails grasping the smooth lip of the pool deck.
“So what changed your mind? I thought you hated working for the evil empire.” She blinks her dark lashes and tosses wet hair over her shoulder, a few wet strands sticking to her chest. Lexi fills out a bikini top impressively. Me, not so much.
“Yeah, well…turns out it’s not so evil.”
“Interesting.” She leans back, balancing on her elbows. “Maybe Kendra is right. Try to make friends with the girls, at least one of them. That will make it more fun.” Her lips curve into a Cheshire grin. “Plus, three cute guys? Come on, you ought to be able to hook up with one of them this summer.”
There’s only one guy I’m interested in, but I managed to insult him today, so I’ve killed any chance I had. Not to mention it’s against the rules.
“Hey, my mom said you’re working the church carnival, so now I have to.” Lexi doesn’t sound thrilled about this.
I shrug. “I don’t mind doing it. It’s for a good cause.”
She rolls her eyes. “I know that. Don’t make me feel like a jerk.”
“So don’t do it if you don’t want to. You could donate money instead. Buy a fake brick.”
Our church sells fake bricks at the carnival every year. People pay crazy sums of money for a cardboard rectangle, and the little kids decorate them. Then we stack the bricks in the reception hall until next year’s carnival rolls around.
Lexi exudes annoyance, and I realize we’re not really talking about the carnival.
“Something up with you and Brayden?” I ask. I hope not, because even though I don’t like him, I want her to be happy. She shrugs and turns away, watching the kids playing Marco Polo. “Lexi, what’s up?”
“My brother. My parents are so freaked about the way he bombed out of school that they’ve got us both on lockdown. I had to beg them just to hang out with you tonight.”
“But that doesn’t make sense. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
“You don’t have to tell me.” She sighs and closes her eyes. “I just wanted a normal summer, you know? Working, hanging out with you, seeing Brayden. But I’m not allowed to see him unless he comes over while my parents are home.”
I wince. “Ugh. It’s like you’re in middle school.”
“I know, right?” She twirls a strand of wet hair around her index finger. “I’m so mad at Scott for messing up, but I’m worried about him, too.”
I push myself up to sit next to her. I can’t imagine how she feels because I can’t picture Kendra messing up. Ever. When she’d told me he’d flunked out, I couldn’t believe it.
“Is there anything I can do?”
She shrugs. “Maybe not complain so much. Your life’s not that bad, you know?”
Her words cut, but instead of getting defensive I stay quiet, because deep down I know she’s right.
“We should do something fun.” I want to make her laugh, or at least smile.
“Like what?”
“Watch a movie with me tonight. I made cookies yesterday.” Lexi likes my cookies almost as much as Dad does.
“Okay.” She doesn’t look excited, but I hope I can cheer her up. Maybe she’s right and I need to stop focusing on my own problems.
…
Unfortunately Lexi leaves after the movie instead of spending the night.
“No sleepovers,” she grouses, staring at her phone.
“Not even with me?” I can’t believe her parents are being this strict.
I hug Lexi goodbye and wave from the front door as she climbs into her SUV. This summer is going to stink if her parents keep her on lockdown, but I’m hoping they’ll relent soon.
My parents will be out late, so I curl up on the family room sofa with my laptop. After wasting time on a few YouTube videos, I give in to my true desire and pull up Carlos’s restaurant website. I may have looked at it a few times this week, late at night while lying in bed. Maybe more than a few times. An idea bubbles in my mind, but I try to quash it. I am not stalking Carlos at his restaurant.
No way.
“Encantado, may I help you?” The voice is familiar, even over the cacophony of laughter and music in the background.
My throat constricts as I debate what to do. Disguise my voice and ask how late they’re open? Tell him I’m sorry for what I said on the rooftop?
“Hello? May I help you?” Carlos is unfailingly polite, even to a prank caller.
I disconnect and toss my phone aside like it burns my hand. The last time I phone-stalked a guy was in the eighth grade. And it was Jason. What is wrong with me?
Eventually I drift to sleep in front of the TV, dreaming of my parents’ soft voices and the warmth of a blanket being tucked around my body.
“She lost the foosball tournament today,” my dad whispers. “But she was a good sport about it.”
Maybe I’m not dreaming. Mom’s cool hand smooths hair from my forehead. “Of course she was. Sounds to me like she’s being a trooper with this job, Rhett. I hope it works out the way you hope.”
Even though I’m 99 percent asleep, my ears prick up.
“It will,” Dad says. “I’m sure of it.”