RAMSAY.

“This is a cool house,” Theresa said.

I let us in and found another note from my mom on the counter.

Hey, honey. They offered double time, so I took it. I know you’re going to the football game. Ailes will be there if you want to sit with her or your friends? Be safe.

You’re to sleep at their house tonight.

Love you, honey! - Mom

I put the note in a drawer and glanced back as Theresa, Gem, and their friend Alred came in behind me. Alred had been introduced as another one of Gem’s cousins, and he’d informed me he had “super duper” crushes on all of my cousins, so I needed to give him the inside dish.

I liked Alred already. He was skinny with thick, full, dark hair and somewhat bushy eyebrows, but he kept his face smooth and clear. He had a pretty face and wore pink eyeshadow that matched his hoodie and jeans, which had white frills on the end. As he walked, they sashayed with him. He’d caught me watching him on the way to the car after school and laughed. “They give me a little extra bounce back there, if you know what I mean.”

“Thanks,” I responded to Theresa now. “It’s a bit big for us, but we like it so far.”

She nodded, going to the kitchen island. “You guys rent, right?”

I nodded. “Uh, yeah.” I gestured to the television. “I can turn that on, or do you guys want something to eat or drink real quick? I’ll just run up to change.”

Alred raised his hand, a big smile on his face, but Theresa said, “We’re good. Go and change.”

He lowered his hand, glowering at his cousin’s back and then giving me a wide smile and a thumbs-up. Gem tried not to laugh, watching the whole thing.

I ran upstairs to change into a sweatshirt and switch out my shoes for some sneakers. The black leggings could stay. I knew it’d be cold tonight at the game. In the bathroom, I brushed my hair and put on some makeup. The school colors were orange and white, so I put a small dusting of orange glitter on my eyes. Then I put my hair in two braids, weaving in a white ribbon and dashing some glitter over my hair too. I felt festive and good to go.

I wore a sweatshirt. Underneath I had a black ribbed racerback tank. I was leaving when I noticed a necklace my dad gave me.

I hadn’t worn it in so long, and I didn’t even know it had been unpacked. I realized my mom must’ve gotten it out for me. My throat swelled, but I put it on, a simple silver necklace with a white stone.

I hesitated, but then I put it under my shirt. It felt better against my skin.

When I went back downstairs, Theresa, Alred, and Gem were all huddled together, talking in hushed tones.

I paused and eased back a step.

“I like her!” Alred wasn’t being so quiet. “No. I love her. There. I said it. Boom. Burn me at the stake, witches.”

“You’re so dramatic.”

“I luuuuh-ve her. How’s that for being dramatic?” he snapped back at Theresa. “What’s your problem, anyway? You’ve had a stick up your ass this whole time. She’s good people. You can tell.”

“She laughed at your joke. That’s why you think she’s good people.”

“It’s a test. Anyone who laughs at my jokes is good people.”

“Guys. Come on. Theresa, you said you’d give her a chance. That’s why we invited her tonight.”

“I am! God. Both of you just back off. I’m in her house, sitting at her table. What more do you want from me? Can I remind you that I’m not the one who needs friends? Please check yourselves.”

“She’s new.” Gem’s voice was quiet.

Theresa sighed. “Her cousins run the school, and she seems not to have a problem with Cohen and Scout. I think she’s doing just fine. Plus, she’s friendly with Kira.”

“No, she’s not. That’s just Homecoming committee stuff. She did that for me.”

Alred sighed. “But can you imagine being around all those guys? All the time? Scout. Good Gad all glorious. I just want to pull down those sweats an inch. Just an inch. Can you imagine? No. Seriously. Let’s all imagine together. We’ll orgasm.”

“I don’t just meet someone and become instant friends,” Theresa insisted. “That stuff takes time for me.”

“We know, but you said you’d give her a chance,” Gem countered. “Plus, you’ve met her a few times.”

“In class and during a verbal smackdown doesn’t count. And I am trying. I invited her to Mario’s. That’s a family place. Not just anyone gets an invite from me, you know.”

“I know. Just, be nice.”

“I am. She’s upstairs still. Back off, you guys.”

“I luh-ve how feisty you are.”

Theresa started laughing, but I stopped listening.

I reached in, pulled out the necklace from my dad and kissed it, taking a deep breath. For a moment I could imagine my dad standing next to me, giving me a hug and telling me, “Get out there and kick ass.”

I blinked away a tear, put my necklace back under my shirt, and plastered on a fake smile. “I’m ready.”

Alred luh-ved my hair and promptly asked if I could do small braids in his hair too. With ribbon. With glitter. He was almost a walking ball of glitter. It was everywhere. His face. Neck. Chest. He didn’t care that it got all over his sweatshirt and pants.

After leaving my place, we went to Theresa’s for them to get ready where Gem asked me to do her hair.

Theresa’s mom came up when we were almost done and gasped, taking everyone in. “Muy bonita!”

That was when I saw a different side to Theresa. She softened and was all smiles as her mom gave her a hug. Gem and Alred got hugs. When she came to me, she got quiet. Theresa spoke in Spanish to her. She responded before she got a little misty-eyed. It was too fast for me.

“She’d like to give you a hug,” Theresa told me. “Is that okay?”

Gem sidled closer. “We’re a huggy family.”

“Yes. I’d love a hug.”

I stood, and Mrs. Garcia came over and hugged me. For a split second, I pretended I was getting a hug from my dad.

She and Theresa spoke again in Spanish.

I caught most of the words, but Gem translated. That was helpful.

“She’s asking about dinner and our plans,” Gem said. “Theresa’s telling her about Mario’s, the football game, and that we’ll probably go to Kunz’s after.”

“Who’s Kunz?”

“Someone we know. He has a lot of parties at his place.”

Mrs. Garcia’s voice rose.

“She doesn’t approve of Kunz,” Gem explained. “He’s got some friends who drag race and do drugs, but we’ll probably still go. Theresa and he have an on-and-off thing going. She likes bad boys.”

Theresa stopped talking to her mom and said sharply to Gem, “Just tell her all my business.”

Gem shrugged. “She’ll find out anyway when you’re on his lap all night.”

Alred held up a hand to Gem. “Word.”

Gem laughed and slapped it with hers.

Theresa rolled her eyes, but went back to talking with her mom. A moment later, they were hugging. I got a hug again. When we went downstairs, an older man gave Theresa money from his wallet, murmured something to her, and kissed her on the forehead.

My necklace felt like it was burning against my skin.

I reached up, finding it, and I held on to it.

“Love you, Dad.”

Mario’s was a small restaurant set back from the main road in Pine River. There was some room to sit inside, but their main seating area was a back courtyard. I loved it, everything about it. We were surrounded by a tall fence for privacy and there were vines growing all over the courtyard. A duck came through at one point and went to a small fountain area in the corner. It quacked until one of the employees gave it bread. A second duck had joined it by the time we got our drinks.

While we waited, Theresa went back inside. Soon after, we heard a loud wave of voices.

“Theresa has a lot of friends from Pine Valley,” Gem explained. “They’re inside.”

“I’m from there too,” Alred added.

“You don’t go to our school?” I asked.

He shook his head. “Nope. I came over today to see what the what was going on tonight. Those girls in there are my friends too, but I’m staying out here because you’re amazing.”

“Thanks.” I grinned at him.

He beamed back. “No problem, sweetie.”

Gem started giggling.

“You said this place was a family place?” I asked.

Gem nodded, taking a sip of her water. She motioned inside. “One of my mom’s cousins runs it, but we just call him Uncle Hector. The hostess is his daughter. She’s also in college.”

“You work here sometimes?”

“Yes. Sometimes. When they need extra help or I need money.”

“So . . .” Alred laid his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Enough about us. I want to hear all about you. What’s your sign? Your horoscope? Do you have a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or both? What are your thoughts on dancing on roller skates? And do you have an online journal? If so, I want to follow you.” He motioned to Gem. “I got most of the deets from Gemmie. She told me about your dad and your nasty ex. I’m so sorry about your loss. Also, your mom is a nursing assistant? I met her when I was doing Miss Hettie’s nails yesterday.” He looked at me. “Your mother is precious, by the way. I wanted to eat her all up.”

“I know. She’s an amazing mother.”

There was another wave of noise, and a moment later, Theresa reappeared, just before four plates of food were brought out.

I frowned. “Wait. We never ordered.”

Theresa slid into her seat. “We don’t order here. Uncle Hector tells us what we eat.”

“It’s always the best,” Gem gushed before thanking the servers.

She was right. After her uncle came over for cheek kisses and hugs, and a few other family members, we dug in. Mario’s was the best.