Page 18 of How to Be Remy Cameron

Sara answers with a middle finger. We exchange glares—fireworks and lightning and nuclear bomb explosions. It was a foul thing to say, to be honest. I’d never intentionally out anyone, not that I know anything about Sara’s sexuality. That’s not the mission of GSA. It’s not on my agenda either.

“Perfect,” says Sara with a forced grin. “The homecoming committee and I would love to drop by.”

“Homecoming committee?”

This is why I suck at games like Monopoly. I lack strategic skills. I’m not cutthroat. I’m the first person to buy all four railroads and Mediterranean and Baltic Avenues. I’m bankrupt and in jail after my fourth roll of the dice.

“What for?” I ask, biting into my fajita. My earlier assessment that lunch was anything resembling edible was incorrect. I chug half my soda just to get it down.

“I have my reasons,” replies Sara.

“Such as?”

“I’d love to see more diversity in this year’s events. True representation from all aspects of our school.” Though it sounds as if it’s borrowed from an ad for “It Gets Better,” Sara’s calculated speech seems almost genuine. She leans closer. “Maybe we could get a few members to run for homecoming court?”

Ignoring the hint in her voice, I poke at the imitation fajita. Is she referring tome as Homecoming Prince? Because, if so—no way.

“Come by if you want.”

A hint of sadness tugs at the corners of Sara’s mouth, tightening the creases around her eyes. Then it’s gone as swiftly as it came, and she’s steely, confident, no-bullshit Sara again. She turns away to start a new topic with Zac and Alex.

I shrug it off. It’s one of those “no hard feelings” things Sara and I do. We orbit in the same galaxy, just around different planets.

At the other end of our table, Brook has one arm lazily slung around Lucy’s shoulders. Limp, ketchup-covered fries are hovering near his mouth, but he’s busy chuckling at something Jayden’s said.

Next to him is Ian.

Facts: Maplewood is filled with cute guys. Nerdy types, jocks, the I-know-I-am-but-pretend-not-to-be cute types. They’re everywhere. And the struggle is real because they’re notguys like me. I do my damnedest not to bring any extra unwanted attention to that fact that I’m gay. That means no ogling other guys, especially if they’re potentially straight.

But my eyes can’t help noticing Ian. He’s his own category of cute, a to-be-named category. His glasses never sit perfectly on his nose. His skin still has leftover bronze from summer and California sun. Today, he’s wearing a denim jacket, unbuttoned to reveal some unrecognizable anime character on his T-shirt.

I only know maybe five anime characters. Lucy is the high authority on those things. But I’m so focused on his shirt, I’m startled to find him staring back at me. It’s warming like midafternoon sun across downtown Atlanta. It pushes into my skin like confident fingertips, playing my nerves like a perfectly-tuned piano.

“Yeah. So. Nice shirt.” It comes out so bad. My tongue is stone-heavy behind my teeth. What a perfect time for our table to go dead-silent!

Ian’s eyes lower. “Thanks.”

“Oh, shit,” says Lucy, hand flying to her mouth. “Victor Nikiforov fromYuri!!! On Ice. Sick.”

“Language, Ms. Reyes,” Mr. Riley says, loftily, as he passes. He’s usually cool about students swearing, but also spectacularly good at putting on a show when authorities like Principal Moon are around.

She’s in a corner of the cafeteria, watching over us like a high-fashion jail warden.

Cheeks pinking, Lucy turns back to Ian. “Dude, you’re into Y-O-I?”

“Who isn’t into YOI?”

Hello, me!YOI? I don’t know if they’re still talking about anime or a communicable disease.

“Jesus Christ, no. No, no, no,” protests Brook. He jerks a thumb in Lucy’s direction, then says, “You better not be writing fanfiction like this one. It’s not cool.”

“You wouldn’t know cool if it slapped you,” Lucy argues.

“It’s notyou.”

“Shut up.” Lucy’s hardcore smiling. That girl is so far gone for Brook, it’s wild.

Ian and Lucy start talking about anime and characters and fanfics like two long-lost friends. Lucy Reyes, president of the Anime Club, all-around legend when it comes to being smooth and confident around others. These are two things on theThings Remy Is Notlist.

---