“Call us if you need a ride or anything, anything at all, okay?” Mom looked like she was ready to walk me out to the car and kiss my cheek but held her seat.
“’Kay, bye.” I tried to be casual as I closed the door behind me. I could feel their watchful gaze on me as I climbed into the back of Tessa’s mom’s car. Music was blasting, the heat was on high, and the car smelled of Tessa’s fruit-flavored lip gloss.
Tessa threw her arms around me, yanking me to her. “I’m so glad you decided to come! This is going to be crazy!”
Her mom turned down the music for a moment and backed the car from the driveway. “How’s it going, Nico? We have been thinking about you. Tessa says you didn’t make it to school all week.”
I took a deep breath and said the words I had been preparing in my head. “It’s been pretty strange, but good. We’re just really happy to have Sarah home.”
“I bet.” Tessa’s mom met my eyes in the rearview mirror. “How is she?”
I paused, wondering how to answer that. She’s different. “She’s really, really good. Still adjusting, but she’s really good.”
“Mom! I told you Nico isn’t allowed to talk about it. Can you turn this song up?” Tessa rolled her eyes at me and mouthed the word sorry.
“It’s okay,” I said. I looked out the car window at the lights in all the other homes we drove by, the flicker of TV screens. I longed to be sitting in the den at home, with my parents, watching a movie like we usually did on Saturday night. Just the three of us. I wondered if they would be doing that with Sarah tonight.
“. . . this could be good or it could be bad, because you know I always thought Alex sort of liked Kelly and acted like he didn’t just because she was with Liam, but I guess we’ll see tonight, huh?” Tessa was talking but I could barely keep up.
“Wait, when did Kelly and Liam break up?”
“Last week, you were out. I was going to call you, but, I mean, you were dealing with way bigger stuff.” Tessa pulled out a lip gloss and smeared it on just as her mom pulled in front of Liam’s house. Lights seemed to glow from every window and I could already hear a low bass line of beats escaping from the open front door.
Tessa’s mom said quickly, “You know the rules,” before unlocking the doors. “Text me when you’re ready to be picked up.”
“We’ll be good, promise. Love you, Mom!” Tessa called as we tumbled out of the back and up the rounded driveway.
“You’re almost a foot taller,” I had to point out. Tessa, usually tiny, was suddenly statuesque, matching my height.
“New boots.” She pointed down to her heels. “They kill! You don’t know how lucky you are to be tall.”
“Tess, are your feet, like, still growing, or are you the same size?” I asked as we reached the door.
“What?” Tessa pulled a funny face. “I’m a size six, have been for years. Why? Do these make my feet look big?”
I shook my head.
“No, tell me, Nico. Do they? You need to tell me now because I’ve hardly worn them and I can still take them back . . .”
“They’re good.” I couldn’t tell her the real reason I was asking. “Really.”
Tessa looked like she didn’t believe me as we went into the foyer and saw a group of kids from school in the living room. I had never been to Liam’s house, and was surprised to see how big it was. I knew he was an only child and lived with just his father. What did the two of them do in this place?
“Ladies!” Liam’s best friend, Miles, came over and flopped an arm around each of our shoulders. He turned to me. “Very surprised to see you here.”
“Leave her alone,” Tessa said, sliding out from under his arm.
“Not because of the whole ‘kidnapped sister returns’ thing, but you just never go to parties,” Miles pointed out.
“Whoa.” Idina walked by and did a double take. She grabbed both my hands in hers. “How are you?” She pulled me in for an uncomfortable hug. “I called you a few days ago, but I didn’t hear back—and that’s totally cool—but, oh my God, Nico!”
“Yeah, I know.” I nodded. “Sorry I didn’t call you, it’s been . . .” I shook my head, suddenly feeling tears in my eyes. Don’t lose it. Don’t cry, you fat stupid baby, you always cry about everything.
“So crazy, everybody has been talking about you, but you’re okay? Right? And your sister?”
I took a deep breath and willed myself to stay calm. “Actually, everything is really good. I mean it, like, excellent.” I tried to convince myself it was true. It was true.