Damn it! If this arrangement is going to work, then Oliver and I need to at leasttryand get along. People will notice if we’re constantly shooting death glares at each other. Plus, riding a motorcycle does seem kind of fun, dangerous as fuck, but fun.
“I mean if you want to show me,” I whisper, Oliver’s body language radiating serious disdain. “I wouldn’t be, you know, totally opposed.”
“No,” he huffs, pulling out his phone and popping an Air Pod into his ear. Oh, okay. Ignored. “You’d probably scratch it or die or something.”
“‘Kay,” I hum, picking at my nails. Crap. Is he going to be salty for the rest of the night now? We were doing so well earlier. It was almost...nice. I crane my neck toward him. Maybe I can remedy this situation. “What’re you listening to?”
“Music,” he states flatly, closing his eyes and pulling his hood over his head. “Wake me up when we’re there.”
Never mind. It’s pointless.
thirteen
Highs and Lows
OLIVER
“Hey,wakeup.”Myeyes flutter open as Kennedy shakes my shoulder. Her touch is like a feather, light and gentle. She’s probably scared to piss me off again. “We’re here.”
Already? I just closed my bloody eyes. Yawning, I stretch out my arms before mindlessly slipping out of the car. The sky is almost dark, remnants of a sunset linger behind the thick clouds. I shouldn’t have napped, I feel fucked, like I’m in a haze. Fortunately, it’s nothing a little Jameson can’t fix. As Kenny says goodbye to her driver, I sneak a swig of whiskey, hoping it’ll perk me up, give me some energy.
“Alright, well you kids have fun, okay?” Eddie says through the rolled-down window. “Call me when you want to get picked up.”
“We will!” she exclaims, waving at him. “Bye Eddie.”
“Bye sweet pea,” Eddie sings, starting the car and driving away. I wish Louis, my father’s twatty driver was as cool as Eddie. I wouldn’t be caught dead drinking in the back ofhiscar. Father would surely have me beheaded.
Kennedy sidles up to me, a hesitant look plastered on her face. “Little groggy?” she asks, gesturing for me to follow her up the driveway to the four-story ivy-leaf-covered mansion. Shit, everything sure is bigger in America. My eyes dart to the grand fountain in the middle of the courtyard, a mermaid emerging from the center, water spurting out of her mouth. So tacky.
“A little, yeah,” I admit, rubbing my eyes, distant rave music echoing from inside the house. Oh, and their music sucks. We’re off to a great start already. Why am I here again?
Kenny halts by the fountain, biting her lip as she asks cautiously, “Are we good? I didn’t—uh...I didn’t mean to offend you or anything earlier. I honestly thought you were kidding about teaching me...you know.”
I scoff. She’s really worried I’m going to go rogue tonight. “Iwaskidding. Like I’d let youactuallyride the Triumph.”
I’m not sure what came over me when that offer escaped my traitorous lips but evidently, I wasn’t thinking clearly. Perhaps I’m a sucker for a sob story.
“Oh,” she hums, tucking her wavy hair behind her ear. “Yeah, I thought so. Okay, well, are you ready?”
“Whatever,” I sigh, swinging my arm over Kennedy’s shoulder. This is better than holding her stupid sweaty hand. She’s a perfect height for an armrest. I look down at her. “You’re very short, you know that?”
Kennedy rolls her eyes, wrapping her arm around my waist, gripping the sides of my jacket as we walk up the concrete stairs toward wooden doors. “I’m five foot five, that’s average. Sorry that I’m not a giant.”
“You’re a goblin, we’ve already established that,” I muse as the front door swings open and three of our classmates run out toward us, curiosity radiating in their eyes. Oh great, the welcoming committee.
“Kenny!” Maxscreams. Bloody hell, she’s loud. “You’re here! And you’ve brought British-boy!”
“British-boy?” I whisper to Kennedy, lifting up an eyebrow. A nickname, interesting. “Is that what you call me?”
“Among other things,” she smirks then turns her attention back to her friends. “Leon, Felicity, Max, this is Oliver, my uh— myboyfriend.” Leon and Felicity look familiar, I’m fairly certain they’re in several of my classes. And everyone knows Maxine, she’s hard to miss. Orhear. She might be the only person who actually talks in class, granted, it’s usuallyoverthe teacher.
“Hey,” I nod. I hate introductions. She better not do this all night. By the sounds of all the voices coming from inside, that would take hours.
“My oh my,” Felicity coos, crossing her arms, a can of cider hanging from her hand. “He talks!”
“Ignore her, she’s on her fourth cooler.” Leon rolls his eyes and holds out his hand. “Nice to officially meet you, I think we’re all in English together.”
“I know,” I state passively, giving him a firm shake. I gesture inside the home. “Let’s go in, yeah? Unless you’d prefer to stand out here all night.”
