Page 46 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

Chuck slapped Memphis' arm. “I told you she had something to do with the lab closing.”

It was nice when one’s talents were recognized. If only Memphis would share in that recognition.

He folded his arms and gave me the same look his dad gave him. “What did you do?”

“Calm down, no one got hurt.” Seriously.

I stepped past him and began twisting in the combination on my lock.

“Do you want to get kicked out of school?”

“Do you want to turn into your dad?” I paused with my hand on my locker door, and slid my eyes his way. “Cause you’re doing a great interpretation of him right now.”

“Well, someone’s got to keep you out of trouble.”

“You’re my best friend. You’re supposed to get into trouble with me.”

Like the time we went panning for gold in his moms jewelry box. His dad was mad at us that day. We weren’t allowed to see each other for a week, which was the week I learned that military grade camo face paint was not hypoallergenic. That was kind of counterproductive in my opinion.

“What do you think navy seals do when they have an allergic reaction?”

This time it was Chuck’s forehead that furrowed. “Do you sit around all thinking of random things to say?”

“No, but that’s a good idea.”

“You don’t have good ideas.”

Oh, ye of little faith.“I have fantastic ideas.”

“Uh huh?” Chuck muttered. “Like your fake relationship with Gio Mancini?”

“Hey, Atlee is the only fake boyfriend I have.”

Didn’t Memphis convince him that we hooked up at a game? Because Chuck didn’t look very convinced to me. He looked suspicious, which wasn’t a good thing. Gio shot someone for slapping me, I didn’t want to know what he would do if Chuck started digging around.

Memphis looked over at his boyfriend. “We talked about this.”

“No, I talked, and you lied.”

“I didn’t lie.” Memphis sighed. “She likes him. Right Nova?”

They both looked at me, and it took a few seconds for me to realize they were waiting for me to respond.

“I like him.”

Not only did that physically hurt to say, but I was pretty sure the smile I said it with was so fake, that it would make a b horror movie actress cringe. And Chuck wasn’t buying it. I could tell that from the way he folded his arms over his chest. Not that I could blame him.

“You like Gio Mancini?”

Ugh, why did he insist on hurting me like this.

“Yes, I like Gio Mancini.” The weird thing was, I didn’t feel like throwing up after saying that. Was I actually starting to like him?

“Do you really expect me to believe that?”

The real question was, was I starting to believe it? Or, was I just going insane, because that seemed like the more plausible option.

“I know something else is going on Nova.”

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