Page 28 of Next to Everything We Wanted
“That’s the fourth time you’ve mixed something up today.” Oliver shook his head, scribbling something on his clipboard. Gosh, he better not report this to his mom, the shelter owner. “Something’s wrong with you.”
“Well, thank you.”
He rolled his eyes to the highest heaven. “I didn’t mean it that way. You just haven’t been yourself lately.”
Great, how many people had caught onto my change of behavior? “I’m just stressed,” I said, my skin warming with embarrassment. “With finals at the end of the month and all. And some things have been odd.” Odd was a massiveunderstatement. Nothing from last night was even in the same solar system as normal.
“You can talk to me about anything when you want to,” Oliver said, offering a smile and handing me the cat food.
“Thank you.” I smiled before leaving the food pantry, tripping over my own feet. How graceful.
After I fed the cats, I entered the cat playroom. I knew I should do my next task, but I needed something to distract me, even for just a few minutes. Raina and Dallas were playing with the kittens, their favorite activity at the shelter. They loved it so much that they’d gifted each other their favorite kittens back in March.
“Hey,” I said with a smile. “How’s the playing going?”
“Wild,” Dallas said, his dimples appearing with his smile as Muffin the cat licked his hand. “They’re even more excited today than usual.”
“Well, I’d be excited too after being trapped in a cage all day.” I leaned against the wall. “You’re lucky that Mrs. Landers always assigns you the fun tasks. I get stuck cleaning poop.”
“We don’t get fun tasks all the time,” Raina said, rubbing Robby’s chin. “Mrs. Landers says that the cats are always happier after we play with them.”
“Even cats have favorites?” I shook my head. “Not fair.”
She laughed. “Have you made any progress with writing song lyrics?”
I groaned. “I haven’t even opened my sketchbook.”
Raina raised an eyebrow. “Really? Is that a new record?”
“Sadly, yes.”
Dallas frowned. “Is everything okay?” The cat in his lap meowed. “Chocolate Milkshake is concerned too.”
I laughed. “Chocolate Milkshake?”
Dallas’s pale face flushed. “He’s a swirl of different shades of brown, so he looks like a chocolate milkshake. Mrs. Landers let me name him that.”
Raina licked her lips. “Now I want a chocolate milkshake.” She scooted closer to Dallas, their shoulders touching. “I heard that they have new ones at What Do You Bean. We haven’t tried them yet.”
“Believe it or not, I actually hate chocolate milkshakes,” Dallas said with a shy smile.
“Seriously?” Raina’s mouth dropped. “Why are you just telling me now? That’s a massive red flag.”
“You’re kidding.” Dallas scoffed. “Likingchocolate milkshakes is the red flag.”
I listened to their milkshake battle, glad that the subject was off me and my problems. I knew it was important to talk things out with my friends—we often learned the hard way if we didn’t do that—but I didn’t want them to worry about me. Really, I’d be fine.
“Seriously,” Dallas said, looking up at me again, “are you okay?”
“Of course not.” I scoffed. “You don’t like chocolate milkshakes. I can only imagine the rift it’s going to cause in your relationship.”
“You don’t have to worry,” Raina said. “I’m sure . . .” She sighed as she looked at Dallas. “I’m sure we’ll be able to work it out.”
I snorted. “Good luck.” Before they could ask any more questions, I left the cat room and closed the door.
After I finished my next task, I went into the breakroom. I’d already drunk my coffee from my school’s café, so I brewed a new cup.
As I waited, Raina walked in. “Okay, what’s up.”
