Page 91 of The Surprise
“Pills,” he says. “Weed.”
I blink. “Are you serious right now?”
His furrowed brow tells me that he is.
“Ugh, you’re even worse than before.”
I spend the rest of the night ignoring him. At least there are enough people that I can put them all between us at the dinner table. It’s pretty awkward, sitting at a table with four old people, my parents, and one kid my age. Especially since he bugs me to death.
The next morning, I find out that we’re docking in San Francisco. “Should be cool,” Jackson says. “I hear your grandparents have a city tour planned.”
“You think a city tour in San Francisco sounds cool?” Yeah, right.
He shrugs. “I mean, it’s not like a rave with edibles or anything, but maybe I’ve been trying too hard to look cool.”
I stumble in shock. That, and a wave hit the boat at an angle.
Jackson catches my elbow. “I’m actually not that big of a partier. I did that a little too much my first semester and almost failed out.”
“Well, I don’t like partying at all,” I say.
“Maybe we both have a little bit to learn.” Jackson’s face, when he smiles for real, isn’t quite so irritating.
My phone starts going crazy as we dock, and I fumble around trying to figure out where I put it.
Jackson reaches over and tugs it out of the side pocket of my backpack. “Been out of range. Sounds like people have been missing you.”
When I pull my phone out, I have dozens of messages. All of them are from Hannah. Did her uncle give her more info on the possible job? I swipe with a little too much hope burgeoning in my chest.
I’m beyond ready to have my own income and get my own place.
UNCLE BOB SAYS YOU CAN MEET NEXT WEEK. HERE’S HIS NUMBER. She shares the contact.
HEY, YOU’RE FRIENDS WITH THE BROOKS GIRL, RIGHT?
She doesn’t bother waiting for a reply, clearly.
BECAUSE I JUST MET HER OLDER BROTHER. DID YOU KNOW HE’S HOT? LIKE, SMOKIN HOT?
My hands start to shake.
IS HE COOL? WHAT STUFF DOES HE LIKE? BECAUSE OMG, GIRL, I CAN’T THINK ABOUT ANYONE ELSE. HOW HAVE I NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE?
Hannah’s five foot six. She has waist length black hair and green eyes. She could move to LA and model. No lie. Stupid Hannah Banana. Every guy in school follows her around.
OMG, HO, IS HE SINGLE? HAVE YOU BEEN HOLDING OUT ON ME???
I want to throw my phone in the water, but I can’t stop scrolling.
WHY DOES HE KEEP ASKING ME ABOUT YOU? I DON’T WANT TO TALK TO HIM ABOUT YOU. I DON’T WANT TOTALKTO HIM AT ALL.
I might be sick.
The last text she sends is a photo of the two of them, his arm slung around her shoulders, and Hannah beaming bigger than I’ve ever seen. She’s also looking up at him with a disgustingly mischievous smile that I’m sure guys like.
“Who’s the hottie?” Jackson asks.
I drop my phone.
