Page 81 of Lost
“Now get back in there,” Georgia said, kissing him lightly. “That boy is going to need you.”
In some ways this was true, but in others Zack knew that Lysander was going to be just fine. He was a strong boy — stronger than most people gave him credit for — and after everything that had happened, Zack liked to believe that getting through this minor hiccup would be like a walk in the park for the boy.
It may not have been the truth, but he could still hope.
By the time Zack and Georgia got back to the hospital room, their friends had Lysander laughing and joking around again. He looked better for it, Zack decided. Not only happier, but healthier, too. As if he could take on the world and win.
Laughter truly was the best medicine.
EPILOGUE
“Best of three!”
Lysander grinned. If Kieran really thought he was out of practice because he’d never joined Mapleton Beach High’s track team, he was in for a rude shock. Lysander ran every morning. Timed himself and pushed himself to do better every chance he got. If anybody was out of practice, it was Kieran. No doubt he’d been slacking off without the competition around to keep him on his toes.Challenge accepted, Lysander thought. Kieran had no idea what he was getting himself into.
He cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulders, releasing the tension from them. “Race you back to my dad’s place. But just remember you asked for it, loser.”
“On three, then.” There was a wicked glint in Kieran’s eyes Lysander knew all too well. “One, two...”
The boy was gone before he’d even finished the second count.
So that was how it was going to be. Lysander tore off after his best friend, sending gravel flying in his wake. Kieran might have managed a decent head start, but Lysander had the advantage of knowing their track. He knew to be careful of the pebbles that spilled out from Mr. Antonio’s driveway and to watch out for Mrs. Frond, who would be reversing out of her driveway to get the kids to their morning activities right as they would be passing. Kieran would have to slow for both. Lysander would regain his advantage then.
Nothing had made him happier than having his best friend come to stay with him for the summer. Zack had surprised him with it on the first day of break, coaxing Lysander to open the door for what was supposed to be Brendan coming over for a jamming session but ended up being Kieran wearing a snapback and shades, looking like he’d been in California for years. How Zack had managed to convince Kieran’s mother to let him come was a miracle Lysander wouldn’t question.
It was right on ten o’clock when they turned back into Zack’s street and raced for the house, its wooden door beckoning. Lysander could practically hear it cheering him on. Barely two steps ahead, he was the first to sprawl his hand across it and shout his victory, much to Kieran’s utter disbelief. He shook his head and brushed sweat from his brow as they both stopped to catch their breath, Mrs. Prescott next door giving them some weird side-eye.
Kieran wheezed. He stretched his arms to the sky, popping the joints on both. “You havedefinitelynot lost your touch.”
“‘Course I haven’t.” Lysander grinned, wiping the sweat from his own face with the sleeve of his shirt.Damn, it felt good to run with Kieran again. “Rematch tomorrow?”
Georgia had fresh fruit and water waiting for them in the kitchen. It had become her routine over the months as she’d picked up on what days Lysander ran. Some mornings she joined him and they had a light breakfast together before Zack had even crawled out of bed. Others she came down just to set out his snack before returning to the sheets. Today she was in the kitchen, giving the benches a solid wipe down when they both unapologetically trekked dust onto her clean tiles.
She barely looked at the mess. A solid improvement. “You two had best get ready when you’re done. We’re leaving in half an hour, and Vicky specifically requested we not be late.” She glanced at the ceiling. “I can’t imagine who she meant.”
Lysander grinned. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he’s up.”
It took Lysander and Kieran five minutes each to shower and then another two apiece to get ready. They were both done before Zack, whom Lysander had practically needed to drag out of bed and shove into the bathroom. By the time he finally came down the stairs with his car keys in hand, everybody was more than ready to leave. Georgia gave a pointed look to her watch andtsked at Zack, who shrugged an apology like,What are they gonna do, send us home?He gestured for them to head for the car.
Vicky had warm greetings for everybody when they arrived, hugging the two teens and kissing Georgia and Zack’s cheeks before directing their group to the backyard. Lysander was unsurprised to see Brendan and his family already there, Melody playing peek-a-boo with her grandfather, Chris and his wife not far away. There were two older couples in the mix — Pat and Vicky’s parents, Lysander presumed. The yard was a symphony of happy conversation and meat grilling on a barbeque, with the not-so-distant sounds of the beach to bring it all together.
It wasn’t long after their own arrival before Jack and Loralie showed up.
Lysander had been thrilled to see his own friends accepted into the band’s social circle so easily, especially after what Chris ominously referred to as The Eliza Beth Incident. But Jack had already proven that he wasn’t a psychopath, and Loralie had been friends with Marina for years, so maybe it wasn’t so surprising after all. They smiled when they saw Lysander and Kieran, practically jogging over to meet them. Zack’s fingers lingered on Lysander’s shoulder briefly before he and Georgia stepped towards their own group.Be careful, it said.
Always, Dad.
He couldn’t keep his eyes from roaming over Loralie. The floral sun-dress that she wore hugged her figure snugly before flaring at the hips, the slip-ons on her feet sporting similar flowers blooming over freshly painted toenails. She’d thrown her hair up in a messy bun and hadn’t bothered with anything more than lip gloss before she’d made her appearance, and as far as Lysander was concerned that was all she needed. She was a picture of perfection.
“Sorry we took so long,” she apologised. “Jack took forever to work out what he was going to wear.”
“Well, it’s a serious matter,” Jack said with a perfectly straight face. “You just never know who you’re going to meet, so you’ve always gotta look your best.”
“Touché.” Kieran stared him down. “Now, if only we weren’t at a party forold people.”
“Who’re you calling old people, kid?”
Pat’s hands fell onto Jack’s and Kieran’s shoulders like a cop who’d just caught a pair of boys getting up to mischief. It should have been intimidating, this tall, buff man looming over them, but Kieran only turned and gave Pat the most innocent look he could muster.
