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Ricky?” the Redheaded friend asked. She had freckles over her nose and cheeks, and I wondered where else I’d find them.
    “Same old, same old.”
    She crossed her arms, pushing her chest up a little through her wh ite shirt, which was unbuttoned lower than what was allowed. Some of these girls just didn’t like rules.
    “I heard you threatened Carl after gym class the other day,” she continued.
    “I’m not sure I know what you’re talking about.” I leaned against the row of lockers and flashed her a smile. Her cheeks matched her hair, and I caught another eye roll from Mia.
    “Carl,” Drew said. “That guy’s such a douche.”
    “Being overweight doesn’t make you a douche,” Alexa chimed in. She loved getting on her brother’s case. And mine for that matter.
    “He’s a douche for plenty of other reasons,” Drew shot back at her.
    “Doesn’t seem fair really, you threatening him,” Alexa said to me.
    “And why is that?” I asked her. She looked me straight in the eyes, no matter how hard I stared her down. It actually turned me on a little.
    “You against Carl? Does that sound like a fair fight?”
    “Fair enough for me.”
    She gave me a disapproving glare and finally dropped the subject. “I gotta’ go. I’m working at the restaurant tonight.” She glared at Drew. “Some of us actually have responsibilities.” She stormed off down the hall.
    “ Are you going to Melissa’s party?” Redhead asked me.
    I couldn’t remember her name. What I did remember was m aking out with her last summer.
    “Well, that depends,” I replied.
    “On what?” she asked.
    “Whether or not you’re going.”
    She smiled, and I took that as a yes.
    “How about you, Mia?” Drew mumbled .
    I knew he had his eyes on Mia. But he knew better than to go anywhere near her.
    “She’s got homework,” I said.
    She scowled at me and threw her book bag over her shoulder. “I thought maybe I could go with Lexy.”
    “Not happening.” Crushed that dream of hers real quick.
    Drew and Redhead said their goodbyes, and Mia and I walked to my car.
    “I wish you would stop doing that,” Mia said.
    “Do ing what?”
    “Speak ing for me like I don’t have a brain of my own.”
    “You are not going to that party tonight.”
    “Why not?” she shrieked.
    “Because there’ll be a bunch of drunk assholes there.”
    “I’ll have Alexa with me. We can take care of ourselves.”
    No fucking way. Mia and Alexa at the same party almost guaranteed my night would end in disaster. “Someone has to stay home with Mom.”
    We both sat in the car. It was an old Honda my dad used to drive and just about the only useful thing he gave me before he had left. I loved that car. Nothing was better than being able to leave whenever I wanted and drive as far away as I could get. I’d never go too far, but just knowing I could was enough for me.
    “Then why don’t you stay with her?” Mia replied.
    Guilt stabbed me in the chest. “Because I already made plans. Stop whining about it.”
    She flopped back and put her seat belt on, mumbling under her breath.
    * * * *
    I fumbled with the doorknob. Shit. I’d gotten a ride to the party and left my keys at home.
    I stumbled down the steps and sat down. Too much alcohol was coursing through my blood to think straight. Devin’s face flashed through my mind. We spent the last hour of the party locked in one of the bedrooms.
    The porch light flicked on. I turned to see Mia waiting on the other side, the usual critical look on her face.
    “Forget how to use a door? First, you have to open it, and then you have to walk in.”
    I wobbled to my feet and lurched past her. “Forgot my key.”
    She subtly sniffed the air around me. “Are you drunk again?”
    “Shout it a little louder why don’t you. I don’t think mom can hear you.”
    “You’re pathetic,” she said, walking back upstairs.
    I flopped on the empty couch and passed out.
    The next morning, I woke up to a shitload of