Page 66 of Rebel Summer

“It just takes some practice defying expectations, and then you’ll be as cold and unfeeling as I am,” Dax said lightly, rummaging through the pile of Legos once more.

“Was that your entire teenage life? Defying expectations?” I asked.

He held out his hands. “And look at me now.”

I laughed as I began organizing the Legos into more piles. We didn’t speak for a long moment while “Bad Moon Rising” by Creedence Clearwater Revival played in the background. The fact that I now knew the names of some of the songs on Dax’s playlist astounded me at the same time my foot tapped to the beat.

Defying expectations.

My mind latched onto those two words, and they swirled inside me as the song blasted from the speakers. Dax had practiced for much of his life to block out opinions. I recalled the stiff way he spoke with his parents and the way he was always working. Certainly, a person could go too far with this idea. Still, my heart began to thrum with the itch to do…something. Anything. Scale a wall? Sure. Toilet paper a house? What time? A restless energy began filtering through my veins, and I wasn’t sure what to do with the feeling while I sat on the floor next to Dax handing him Lego pieces.

“So, when do you have to be back in Tennessee?” His voice was passively indifferent, but I thought I detected something else I couldn’t place. Probably excitement.

“Just over four weeks now.”

He looked over at me. “What?”

I filled him in on my phone call from earlier.

“If I can get all my hours finished in time, that’s the plan.”

“I think you forget that I’ve kindly provided you with a list of ways to reduce your hours.” There was a reckless look on his face as he met my gaze.

While my racing heart skittered to a stop.

The list.

I had forgotten about the stupid list. The list he had made while knowing I would be too scared to do any of it.

And he had been right. I would have been too scared back then.

Honestly, I still was.

But now...the place deep inside, underneath my carefully crafted existence, felt empty. Hollow. Numb.

But underneath the numbness…the callus, new life began to grow.

I had one month to do one hundred and eighty-four hours of community service as well as do my part to help the cafe.

Even if I only did one thing off the list, it would save a lot of hours.

Then I remembered who I was. There was no way. Let’s not forget that the list only had three things on it, and one of them was to spray paint a building. The other was driving an illegal car all around the island.

I was already on probation from one motor vehicle mishap.

There was no way I was doing any of it.

Dax only wrote the list because he was annoyed with me.

So, why was I still thinking about it?

Maybe I could secretly ask the owner of the clinic if I could borrow the ambulance for a bit? Dax wouldn’t have to know.

“You’re not going to do it, so wipe that look off your face.”

I hadn’t realized he’d been watching me. “Why? You worried I will?”

A smile brushed across his lips. “No.” He paused and seemed to reconsider his statement before saying, “But if you did…what a way to start being brave and living life on your terms.” He leaned closer. “Defying those expectations.”

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