Page 18 of Between Love and War
“You done eating your heart out?” I whirl, expecting Kate, but instead, it’s someone who looks exactly like her. But with pink hair. Did she dye her hair pink?
“Kate?” I ask, confused.
“Oh, right, you’renewnew,” the woman says. “I’m Haley, Kate’s twin sister.”
That explains it.
“Hi. I’m Michael.”
“I know, golden boy. If you’re done, I just want to ask if you wanna come hang out with the cool kids?” I look at her with confusion as she adds, “Unless of course you want to stay within the circle of senior citizens and discuss your favorite brand of ibuprofen.”
Before I can respond, someone comes up behind Haley. “I can’t find it,” he says. The guy has golden brown hair, and he’s pushing his glasses up his nose, like he’s so sick of her.
“Richard, use your eyes for once,” Haley says. “It’s in my dresser.”
“Exactly, genius.Yourdresser. Also it’syourdeck of cards. Why don’t you get it?” The guy—Richard—replies.
“Because,genius, I’m busy inviting a new friend.” Haley gestures to me.
“Shit, bro, I didn’t see you there.” Richard says, giving me a pat on the arm. “Big fan.”
“He’s as tall as the ceiling and you didn’t see him?” Haley looks at Richard in disbelief.
Richard looks at her and says, “Yes, your massive head was in the way.”
Haley playfully punches his arm and they both disappear in their little fight. Both of them walk out before Haley looks behind her and says, “Oops, sorry, Mike, let’s go!”
I leave the paper bag on their table near the door with a note that says “For Kate.” I’m still as confused as ever when we walk out of their house. “Where are we going?” I ask.
“Lily’s,” they say in unison.
“Um… the convenience store? Why?”
“Because that’s how it works around here,” Richard replies. “We stay in the host house for scrumptious meals, then drift away to Lily’s for drinks, and leave the oldies there.”
“Before you ask,” Haley adds, “They don’t want us drinking and making noise while they talk about things that are none of their business.”
“Sometimes, they talk about the rumorsyoustart, Haley,” Richard says flatly.
Haley shrugs. “Didn’t say I don’t enjoy being in people’s business.”
The bell to Lily’s rings as we enter, and they were right. All the people my age are here.
“Hey, basketball dude!”
I barely have time to react before a short-haired woman barrels toward me, grinning like we’re old friends. She raises her fist, and out of pure instinct, I bump it with mine. She lets out a laugh, looking me up and down. “You are so tall, it’s scary.”
“Bonbon, since when do you fist bump?”
Another voice cuts in, and I glance up to see a guy standing nearby, watching us with amused curiosity. He’s dressed in a crisp button-down that somehow still manages to look casual. He steps forward, offering me a handshake. “Hello, I’m Ryan. That’s my wife, Bon. She’s a menace.”
Bon gasps. “Excuse you, I’m a delight.”
Ryan doesn’t look convinced. Neither does Haley, who snorts and mutters, “Yeah, okay.”
“Welcome to the neighborhood, uh…” Bon says, and Ryan is about to whisper to her when she says, “No, shh, I got this…” She smiles nervously and says, “Miguel? No, Michael! Yeah!” Bon claps as she returns to the lounge.
Ryan shakes his head at her but looks at me with a knowing grin. “You’ll get used to her.”
