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up in the window just as I reached it.
    â€œAugh!” I screamed, almost dropping my plate.
    â€œEverything okay?” called Dad.
    â€œYeah.” I pressed my hand to my heart. “Nothing serious.” I glared at Emily and opened the kitchen window. “I have easy access to several sharp knives. Speak.”
    â€œI need your help,” she said. “Can you meet me outside when you’re ready? Please?”
    I knew Emily’s stubborn nature meant she wouldn’t leave until she’d had her say. At least this time I wasn’t in a bathroom stall.
    â€œFine,” I said with a sigh.
    â€œAnd you might want to trim back these bushes,” she said. “I almost couldn’t make it to the window.”
    I fixed her with a stare.
    â€œI’ll just be on the porch,” she said quickly, and hurried away.
    Back at the table, Dad was packing up for work.
    â€œWho was that?” he asked.
    â€œEmily,” I said. “She wanted to talk before school.”
    â€œSure she did,” said Parker with a snort. “I’ll bet Ms. Success sent her to spy on us.”
    Nick checked out the window. “I wondered what that surveillance van was doing across the street.”
    I rolled my eyes. “Whatever.”
    â€œIt’d be less obvious without the Champs star on the side.”
    â€œShut up!” I said, laughing now.
    â€œAll right, everyone, I’ve got a meeting in …” Dad checked his watch and winced. “Half an hour ago. So be good at school.” He pointed at Parker. “Pay attention in class.” He pointed at Nick. “And get some extracurriculars.” He kissed me on the forehead. “I’ll see all of you tonight.”
    And with that he was gone.
    The second the door clicked behind Dad, Parker jumped out of his chair. “I need to brush my teeth!” he blurted, and dashed upstairs.
    Nick looked at me. “Do you think he’s volumizing?”
    I nodded. “Yep.”
    â€œDo you think I should stop him?”
    â€œIf you’re tired of living, sure.” I got up from the table. “I have to meet Emily. Good luck.”
    â€œYeah, you too,” said Nick, grabbing a pot lid and holding it in front of him like a shield. Before the Battle of the Evins could begin, I grabbed my backpack and stepped out to join Emily.
    â€œAll right, what’s the drama?” I asked.
    Instantly, she turned pink. “There’s this boy.”
    I cringed. Emily was going to talk about her love life. I was neither prepared nor interested in having this conversation.
    â€œLook, I don’t have a boyfriend,” I told her. “I’m not the best person to offer romantic advice.”
    â€œI don’t have a boyfriend either,” she said. “Not yet. That’s why I need your help.”
    â€œWhy?” I leaned in. “Are you in love with one of my brothers?”
    Emily’s face twisted into a grimace. “Ew! No.”
    â€œAhem.” I pulled back and crossed my arms. “That’s my family you’re talking about. You could do a lot worse.”
    â€œSorry,” she said.
    â€œI mean, we’ve got naturally great teeth.” I flashed my whites at her. “And we don’t look it, but we’ve got excellent knees.”
    â€œ Fine ,” she said, stepping off the porch. “Can we get back to me?”
    â€œRight.” I followed her out to the sidewalk. “So you like some guy.”
    â€œTrevor,” she whispered. “The one from the picture in my stepmom’s office. He’s in your Champs class.”
    I lowered my voice too. “Why are you being so secretive?”
    â€œOther girls from school take this path,” said Emily. “And if they heard me talk about how amazing Trevor is, they’d hunt him down and—”
    â€œKill him?” I asked, widening my eyes in mock fear.
    Emily gave me a