Page 18 of The Other Side of Together

“Catch you later, man.” I move toward the train door and when it finally opens, I take a deep breath and rush out.

Taking the escalator steps two at a time, I hit the sidewalk at a jog, my bags bouncing against my back until I slow under Phil’s bright orange sign and take a deep breath. Anticipation shoved me here. I wanna see her, but I’m throwing gas on a raging bonfire. Am I willing to let my motorcycle dreamsexplode for this moment? This is girl contact—the stuff I told Dad was no problem to avoid. But it’s a huge problem. I wanna see Mei. Bad. Dad didn’t say I couldn’t talk to a girl. We’re just two humans about to have a conversation at a convenience store. It could happen with anyone, anytime. Talking doesn’t make babies.

Pushing the door open, I slow way down, roll my neck, and pop my knuckles. Phil’s not behind the counter, which is probably best. He’s a cool guy, but hat’s waiting for me on aisle three is way cooler.

I turn the corner past the Chinese candy, and my eyes skid to a stop on skinny jeans that outline surprisingly long legs, and hair draped over her shoulder in a black, shiny waterfall. Surrounded by glossy packages of Oreos. One stop shop for God’s most beautiful creations.

I talk myself into cool as I stop in front of Mei, meeting her eyes. “Hey.”

Her head’s tilted and she gives me a shaky side smile, her eyes darting away. “This seemed like a good place to run into you.”

Is it the fluorescent lighting, or is her face bruised? “Think I’ll hang out on aisle three even more often than I already do.” I smile, then squint, looking at her cheekbone that’s casting a bigger shadow than it should be. Definitely swollen.

I resist the urge to hold her head between my hands to get a closer look. “You’ve got a little somethin’ on your face and…I’d offer to wipe it off, but it doesn’t look like it’s coming off anytime soon.”

She tightens her jacket around her and turns to face the shelves.

“Was it Face Eater?”

She shakes her head. “I ran into my closet door.”

I squeeze between the shelf and her, looking down at her. “Does your closet door have a fist?” She watches her feet, so I press a little harder. “Everything okay at home?”

“Yes. I’d just rather not talk about it.”

Confirmed—Face Eater. “Uh, okay. Well…I’m not really cool with the way your closet treats you, and there’s a 95 percent chance I’ll bring it up again, but I’ll drop it for now.”

“I’m okay, really.”

“Maybe you are, but your eye’s not.” I pull out my phone. “And your closet’s gonna have a close encounter with the cops.”

“No.” She puts her hand on my phone, fingers on mine. I look at them, then her. “Please. It was an accident. Completely my fault. It’s embarrassing.”

I search her eyes, looking for hints. “I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have to.” She presses her lips together and turns to walk away.

“Fine—okay.” I sidestep and cut in front of her, holding up my hands. “Sorry. Let’s get something for your cheek. Then we can go for a walk and not talk about it.”

“Can we maybe go somewhere not outside?”

“Uh, sure.” But where? We could go to Guo’s but I wanna talk to Mei without a pair of old but surprisingly good ears listening. I couldslowlywalk her home through dark alleys, but I’m not ready to say goodnight, and Face Eater might be hiding in his ninja clothes. He obviously already practiced on her tonight, which makes me wanna bust his ugly face. I swallow anger. I could take her to The Clubhouse. Dad’s working late. He hasn’t gotten home any night this week before 4 AM. After she leaves, I’ll scrub it clean, so nothing smells like Girl.

But I could lose the motorcycle if we’re in my apartment alone. But no. I won’t. No. Just…ice for her cheek and talking. That’s it.

A few minutes and a grocery bag full of milk and Oreos later, Mei steps inside The Clubhouse and I freeze in the doorway. No girl besides Aunt Audrey and Meemaw has ever stepped inside this apartment and this is the first time I’ve ever spent time with a girl my own age besides the girls in my Sunday school class who guilt me into helping them bake cookies for old people. They’re on Dad’s approved list ‘cause they love Jesus and service. But Iamdoing service. And with cookies. Just not for old people. No big deal. Bet still on.

Mei follows me inside and I lock the door behind us. There’s a girl IN THE CLUBHOUSE. Where are the sirens and blaring lights? Where’s my brain? I was mentally capable before Mei called. But it’s also kinda like I don’t need to be. Like I’m on autopilot. Didn’t know I came equipped with autopilot.

“Do I get to see Buddha now?” Mei’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I snap into motion, setting the bags on the counter and snatching a bag of peas from the freezer and wrapping it in a towel.

“First this.” I hold it out to her. “I’ll go tell him you’re here, but he’s not gonna be happy about your closet’s aggression.”

I walk into my room, stop, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. In…out…calm. Cool. All the freaked-out parts of me collected. I roll my neck like I’m warming up for a game and let out a shaky breath as I snatch Buddha from my windowsill and walk back to the kitchen.

Mei’s checking out the bookshelf in the corner and I’m just glad I picked up the pile of dirty socks by the ottoman and vacuumed the rug yesterday. Glad there are no jock straps lying around.

Mei glances up. “Someone likes history.” She gestures toward the bookshelf, and I nod, setting Buddha in the center of the table before grabbing two bowls. “My dad. Hugereader. By candlelight, actually so…candles.” I wave my hand around the room.

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