Page 62 of The Summer of Everything

Cooper’s in front, giving a peace sign. Half of Zay’s curly ‘fro is cut from the frame. Kyra’s laughing in Anna’s neck. Ella is all scowl and frown. And Nico’s beaming, face pressed to Wes’s who looks… sohappy.

“No filters,” Kyra warns as Cooper begins messing with his phone. “Don’t you dare whitewash me.”

Anna gleefully drags her away from Cooper, arm in arm.

“I need a bath in holy water after standing next to you too long,” Ella grunts, marching down the path. “And a lot of alcohol.”

Wes pats his jeans. Thankfully, he has Ella’s car keys.

Nico and Zay briskly follow Ella.

“And posted.” Cooper flashes his phone for Wes to view.

He’s right. In the photo, they look like the perfect car wreck.

Ella appears out of nowhere.“Here. Drink.”

Wes has been casually monitoring the party from the edge of the crowd. With the ocean to his back, everything in his view is cast in orange and red. There are people of all ages at The Howls: teens with acne and too much energy; college kids with their big words and booze; even a few who look older than Leo, talking about jobs and sharing whiskey, lamenting about their glory days.

Ella shakes a bottle of hard lemonade in his face. She knows Wes hates beer.

“Is there an alternative?”

“No.” She presses the cold, wet bottle to his palm. “You need it. You have that whole Stressed Wes face. I know you’re overthinking this bookstore thing.”

“I’m not.” At least, not in the panicked way he was a few weeks ago. But it’s created its own residence in his mind next to the future and Nico. He’s excited about their ideas. It’s just hard for him to trust the others to want it as bad as he does, no matter how enthusiastic their words might be.

“I’m fine,” he says, gripping the bottle’s neck.

“This is what you always do.” Ella shakes her head. “This is why I hate telling you things.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Ella doesn’t explain. She chugs a beer; amber liquid slips from the corners of her mouth. She belches, head tilted to stare at the sky. “Just take a night off from being all Stressed Wes, okay? We could all use a break.”

She drifts away, intercepting a crowd of teens wearing all black and too much eyeliner.

Wes twists the cap off the bottle. He contemplates drinking. Why not, right? But Cooper and Zay are somewhere, blitzed out their minds. He can’t find Anna or Kyra. Nicohatesdriving at night, especially without his glasses. And Ella’s only mission is to get trashed. He’ll be the only sober driver.

Two girls with matching lime green hair pass him. “Hey.” He stretches out the bottle toward one. “Cheers.”

“Thanks,” one slurs, winking at him.

As they walk away, Wes hears the other girl say, “Cute. Kid’s juice.”

Whatever.

Small groups break out around The Howls. Wes can pick out Zay’s heavy laugh in the noise, though he can’t see him. A cluster of college kids stands closer to the rocks. Kyra’s big curls and Anna’s wind-tossed blonde hair are outlined by the fire’s dancing orange flames. Wes considers joining their troupe, but then realizes he’d probably have nothing to add to their conversations.

Cal Guy sings another song. The Pixie’s “Where Is My Mind?” Wes wants this tool to get swept away by the tide.

Down the shore, Wes spots Nico talking with people he doesn’t recognize. Red Solo cup in hand, he looks so atease. He’s a social multitasker, laughing at something one person says while nodding at someone else.

Nico won’t have any problems meeting new friends at Stanford. He’ll fit in. Over time, someone new will replace Wes.

Breath caught in his throat, Wes turns away.

Maybe heshouldhave a drink. Mellow out. Think of anything other than the fact that he’s on a beach and not executing his plan because the timing’s off. Again.

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