Page 101 of The Summer of Everything

“Well, we know my parental figures sure as hell don’t know what they’re doing,” Ella says, eyeing Wes.

His cheeks warm. “I’m sorry about—”

“I’m not mad about it,” Ella interjects. She lowers her chin and picks at her nail polish. “I think I was more pissed because someone else called me on my own shit.”

They’re all quiet for a moment. Then Cooper says, “My mom’s quit smoking sixteen times in six months.”

Anna, nodding, says, “I haven’t seen my mom in seven years. She likes to bail on responsibility. And my dad’s kind of a wreck when it comes to taking care of himself.”

“So,” Ella says, popping her gum, “All of our parents are still making bad choices.”

Wes slouches. The tightness behind his ribs loosens.

“I like Kyra,” Anna says, unexpectedly. Then, sheepishly, she whispers, “I really, really like her.”

“Oh-kay,” Ella sings.

“Sorry. I thought we were having one of those confessional moments.”

“I mean, yeah. Sure.” Ella pats Anna’s shoulder. “Good for you. And her.”

“I’m aroace,” Cooper says, eyes bright, a soft flush to his face. He drags a hand over his hair, staining it orange. “I just thought—uh. I wanted to share that.”

Ella tilts her head, eyebrows lowered.

Cooper tenses.

Then, Ella pats Cooper’s shoulder too. “That’s awesome, kiddo.”

Simultaneously, Cooper and Wes exhale. Ella stares at Wes. “Since we’re all sharing stuff, is there anything you’d like to add?”

“Um.” Wes lowers his eyes while dusting cheese crumbs from his onesie.

“Fine,” Ella says dramatically. Head titled back, she squints at the ceiling. “I was—Iammad with Mrs. Rossi. Not just because the bookstore’s closing, but because…” Her voice catches. She blinks and blinks. “Because she’s the closest thing I have to a mom. To a role model. And she’s just giving up. I want her to fight, but she’s not.”

A thick wall of silence closes in around them. Cooper eyes the empty cheese puff bag. Cautiously, Anna has slipped an arm around Ella’s shoulder. Wes counts Ella’s sniffs. Five. It’s the only thing grounding him.

“Maybe she did,” Anna says. “She’s a tough cookie.”

“She has to be to deal with you, El,” says Wes, stretching his leg out to kick her knee.

Cooper bumps her shoulder, whispering, “That’s why you’re so awesome.”

“Ugh. Quit trying to win cool points with me.” Ella leans into him; a single tear leaves a black trail down her left cheek.

Wes clears his throat. He has no clue what he’s doing. His heart leapfrogs into his throat, but he says, “I like Nico. A lot.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Ella asks, craning in his direction.

“I said—”

“A littlelouder, please.”

Anna giggles into her hands; her hair falls across her face. Cooper raises his phone, playing music. Anyone who’s ever said The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” isn’t the ultimate feel-good song is the biggest liar.

“Come on, Molly Ringwald,” says Ella. “Scream it for all the losers pining everywhere.”

Wrinkling his nose, Wes almost pretends he never said anything. But what for? It’s not as if he’s had the guts to at least say this to Nico’s face. He might as well shout it to his friends. “I have the biggest, middle school crush on Nicolás Alvarez!”

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