Some Kind of Normal

“Did I do something to piss you off?” I asked, watching her closely. In the space of a few weeks, I’d learned that Everly was a crappy liar. I’d also learned that when she was upset or angry, her eyes looked glassy and much darker. Kind of like they looked right now.

“Nope,” she answered crisply. “Just make sure you study the Fifth Amendment rights because I’ll be grilling you about them Monday.”

“You’re angry.”

“No, I’m not.”

What was it with girls? Why can’t they just say it like it is? Girls get pissy or whatever, and it’s a big thing that carries on for days or weeks. Shit, when guys have a disagreement, they get in each other’s faces, have it out, and go back to being buddies.

“Everly,” I said carefully, not wanting to leave until I’d at least scored a smile out of her.

“What are you doing this weekend?” she asked abruptly.

Okay. That was out of left field. Surprised, I shrugged. “Nothing.” A pause. “Why?” I asked slowly. “Do you want to hang out?”

“No.” Wow. No hesitation there.

She stared at me for a long time, and I tried like hell to think

of what I could have said or done to warrant this mood, but I came up with nothing. I decided to let it be. Lord knows my dad had certainly done that many times over, because like he said, girls are strange animals, and we’d be fools to try and figure them out.

“Okay,” I said, scooping up my bag. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“We study on Monday.”

“I know, but I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

That had been hours ago, and it was still bugging me when our doorbell rang. Friday night in my house is date night for my parents, so they’d left around six, heading to the city for dinner and a movie. Taylor was still grounded, so her bitchy scowl was intact as she flipped through the TV channels like a madwoman.

And me? I’d been sitting at the kitchen table texting with Link and Nathan for the last hour. The two of them were trying to convince me to go to this big summer bush bash, but I didn’t want to. Everyone would be there and I just…

Shit.

Summer parties in my corner of the world consisted of bonfires, drinking, and music. The drinking I could handle. I wasn’t doing it these days, especially not now that I was taking new meds since Tuesday.

It was the music thing. I knew that Link would be there with a couple of acoustics, and I’d be expected to play. Shit, I could barely keep my concentration going long enough to run a few easy scales. How was I supposed to play and sing with everyone watching?

The doorbell went again.

“Holy fu—”

“Language, Taylor.” I mimicked my mother perfectly and shot a look into the family room. I was teasing, but if looks could kill, I’d be dead.

“I hate you.”

“I know.”

“Well, can you get that? We both know it’s not for me. It’s not as if I’m allowed to go to, like, the hottest party of the summer.”

I headed for the front door, but I knew who it was, and before I had a chance to answer it, it flew open and my best friend walked through as if he’d never gone away.

“Dude,” Nathan grinned, hauling his girlfriend Monroe in behind him. “I’m not taking no for an answer. Link’s already out there, and I’m not leaving without you.”

I grabbed his shoulder the way guys do and then pushed him back before smiling at the small girl beside him.

“Hey, Monroe.”

“Trevor.” She reached up and kissed me on the cheek. “You look great,” she whispered.