Page 8 of See You in Your Dreams

Dylan opens his mouth to reply, then seems to reconsider whatever he was going to say, settling for, “Thanks.” He goes to step past me, then pauses, one hand on the doorknob. “It must be rough, being the new kid when everyone already knows each other. Feeling like you don’t fit in. You’re welcome to join us if you want.”

The bleak understanding in his tone makes me think I might not be the only one who feels like they don’t fit in. For a brief moment, I allow myself to actually consider his offer. Maybe lunch with him wouldn’t be so bad.

Then, he meets my eyes. The pity I see there breaks whatever weird hold he has on me, and I narrow my gaze.

“Actually,” I reply coldly, “the worst part about being the new kid is that no one will leave me the fuck alone.”

Dylan’s shoulders slump. “Sorry. See you around, I guess.”

He vanishes into the room, several unfamiliar voices calling out greetings as he shuts the door behind him. I stare after him, feeling like the biggest asshole on the planet. Like Greta, he was just trying to be nice. It’s not his fault he made the mistake of being nice tome.

It could have gone worse,I console myself as I grab my things and retreat down the hall to search for a new nook to hide in. I might have been a colossal dick, but at least I’d gotten my point across. After that disaster of a conversation, he won’t bother me anymore. I can focus on keeping my head down and surviving…just as I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember.

four

Dylan

“Fuck him,” Cat says.She leans against Robbie, who himself leans against the side of the school. Most of the other students have left by now, leaving the area peaceful. Her grin gains a wicked edge. “In either sense of the word.”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” Alexis sighs. “Although, I agree that you shouldn’t let his rudeness bother you. Word around school is he’s like that with everyone. I wouldn’t take it personally.”

“Exactly!” Cat says. “Like we already determined, the guy’s a colossal dick. Why waste any brainpower on him? You’re busy enough as it is.”

She has a point. It’s only the first week of school, and I’ve already spent a handful of lunches holed up in the library frantically finishing homework I didn’t have time to complete at home. The last thing I need is to worry about some guy who clearly wants nothing to do with me.

“Yeah, yeah.” I check the time on my phone and adjust my backpack’s straps on my shoulders. “Speaking of, I’ve gotta head out. Today’s my first day at the vet’s. Dr. Jenkins wants my help updating their online event calendar and organizing old patient files.”

“Sounds thrilling,” Cat says. “No wonder you’re so eager to become a vet.”

“They brought me on precisely so that therealvets don’t have to deal with this crap. Besides, it’s—”

“Good experience,” Cat interrupts. “So you keep saying. Well, whatever floats your boat. I intend to spend tonight at Robbie’s busting a move in DDR.”

Robbie has to be the sole kid in Banton with a vintage Dance Dance Revolution game set up in his garage. Alexis and I have gotten pretty decent by proxy, but Cat’s the only one of us who can manage the faster songs with any amount of grace.

Cat turns to Alexis. “You in?”

“Yep!” Alexis replies, brightening. “I’ve gotta practice my piano piece for Sunday, but I’ll stop by after dinner.” She glances at me and bites her lip. “You’re welcome to join us when you’re done, Dylan. It’d be great to have someone else there who won’t trounce me on every song.”

“Can’t,” I sigh. “Tommy’s working and my mom’s got a late night, so I have to prep dinner and keep an eye on Patrick after he gets home from soccer practice.”

“Patrick’s like twelve now,” Cat scoffs. “He’ll be fine on his own for a couple hours.”

“Probably,” I agree. “But I promised Mom I’d check in on him. She doesn’t want him left alone all night if Tommy doesn’t show until late.”

Alexis beams at me. “It’s really noble how much you do for your family.”

Suddenly awkward, I stare at the cracked asphalt. “Thanks.”

“I think what Lex istryingto say,” Cat interjects, “is that you need to cut yourself some slack. You’re allowed to act like an irresponsible teenager once in a while.”

“Hamsters sometimes eat their own young,” Robbie offers helpfully.

Cat snags his hand. “See? Not even hamsters are perfect.”

“I knew there was a reason I didn’t like rodents,” Alexis says with a shudder.

Cat smirks at Alexis before narrowing her eyes at me. “Just live a little, Dylan. The world won’t end if you have some fun.”