“Don’t tell me that you’re jealous of Johnny Kavanagh.”
“I’m not jealous of him,” Claire defended, cheeks turning bright pink. “I’m mad at him. He stole my best friend.”
“Would you relax?” I chimed in, too fucking weary to deal with her drama. “Gibs slept here every night since Christmas, and he spent all morning, afternoon, and evening with you.”
“And where is Gerard now, huh?” she demanded. “At a disco with Johnny Kavanagh, that’s where. And do you know what Johnny Kavanagh does at discos? He kisses girls, that’s what he does. Lots of girls. With tongues.”
“They’re not at a disco,” Feely said, attempting to calm her. “They’re at Cap’s house.”
“Exactly,” I agreed.
“Cap?” Claire narrowed her eyes. “Why do you call him that?” She looked around innocently. “Does he wear a lot of hats or something?”
“Yeah, Sis,” I laughed. “That’s why.”
“No, he doesn’t wear a lot of caps, Baby Biggs,” Feely explained, clearly taking pity on my baby sister. “We call him cap because he’s our captain.”
“Of what? Your imaginary ship?” Lizzie chimed in with a snicker. “I can see it now: Captain Fantastic and his flock of fanboys.”
“The rugby team, actually,” Feely shot back. “But good one, viper.”
“Well, I bet he’s making him practice rugby, which is silly because Gerard only likes rugby becauseJohnnylikes rugby.”Claire huffed before asking, “Hey, are you guys sure they haven’t gone to a disco?”
“If Cap and Gibs were at a disco, we would be there.” Feely consoled her, patting her head.
“Yes, we would.” I nodded in agreement. “And far away from your tantrums.”
“Yeah, well, maybe if Johnny Kavanagh found a best friend of his own, I wouldn’t be so upset,” she doubled down and said, looking comically wounded. “Why did he have to pickmyone?”
That was a question that continued to confound our class. Back in September, when Johnny Kavanagh sauntered in on the first day of sixth class, he’d taken an immediate shine to Gibsie, and they’d been inseparable at school ever since.
None of the lads in our class could understand why someone like Johnny would want to hang out with Gibsie.
I could.
Gibsie was the greatest friend a person could have. He was loyal, trustworthy, had the best personality in the whole school, and really fucking cared about the people he loved. Feely and I both knew that friends like Gerard Gibson didn’t come around too often, and I was glad Johnny realized it, too.
I would never say it out loud, because I didn’t want to embarrass the lad, but I was thrilled he had finally found his wings. He would always have me in his corner, no matter what, but seeing him making his way at school, and making friends for himself, made me so fucking proud. Because Johnny Kavanagh washisfriend. Yeah, the four of us all hung out at lunch together, and Feely and I considered Johnny our friend, too, but everyone knew where Cap’s loyalties rested.
With our Gibs.
“What are you thinking about?” Liz asked, grinning at me. “You’ve got the biggest smile on your face.”
“Nothing,” I replied, still smiling. “I’m just happy.”
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE
Lizzie
JANUARY 1, 2000
FOR THE LONGEST TIMEIHAD PROGRAMMED MY HEART TO EXPECT SADNESS. IPUT ITdown to the fact that I had an unsettled mind and had learned from a young age that everything was temporary.
Good or bad.
No matter how long something lasted, it would never be permanent.
I knew this, andstillI let myself slip into a false sense of security.
