Page 53 of Rebel Summer

“Get to work, Books,” he said, striding toward a riding lawnmower, but not before I caught his lips turning up in a grin.

Later that night, my walls shook as a long knock sounded above my headboard.

Confused, I lay there and listened intently. It wasn’t a random pattern. It felt calculated. If he was doing this to annoy me, he was in big trouble. We had a code. I grabbed my phone.

ME

Are you dying? That was three big knocks in a row.

DAX

It’s your goodnight song.

ME

What is it?

DAX

Can’t tell you.

ME

Can’t tell me, or you can’t spell it?

DAX

I was going to give you two hours if you figured it out, but after that comment, just one.

ME

Do it again.

DAX

Sorry, Books. I only play once a night.

ME

You’re annoying.

DAX

Sweet dreams.

Biology Class

Day 18

“So, you and Mr. Class President himself, huh?”

I froze, not wanting to discuss anything regarding guys I was seeing with Dax.

“We’re just going to the dance.”

“Aren’t you, like, the class manager-secretary-cheerleader or something like that?”

I gave him a look. “I’m the class Vice President.”

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