Page 75 of Rebel Summer

DAX

I’m just glad I saved you from a butterfly.

ME

So all your tattoos mean something?

DAX

Yup.

ME

The car?

DAX

Yup

ME

You’re a vat of information.

DAX

You're nosy.

My brother and I loved old cars.

ME

Loved?

DAX

I still love them. Night, Books.

Biology Class

Day 26

“What do you call a DNA that’s chilling?” I whispered.

Dax looked blankly at me, but I thought I detected the slightest flare of humor behind his eyes. Or it could just be annoyance. Either one worked great for me.

“Ivy. No talking,” Mr. Gray called out, looking directly at me.

I slunk back in my seat, immediately chastened. Dax waited until Mr. Gray’s attention had moved elsewhere and leaned toward me, catching the scent of my weakness in the air and pouncing.

“What’s the answer?” he pressed.

“Shhh,” I whispered, my eyes following Mr. Gray’s movements.

Dax looked pointedly at our teacher. “You scared of getting in trouble, Books?”

“Nope.” I swallowed.

“You started this,” he said, not bothering to whisper. “Now I’ve got to know the answer.”

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