ed my hand on my jacket, as if I'd just touched a ball of cow t

ette to my lips once more. "You're supposed to meet

her gaze cast to her shoes. "I went out to the field and didn't find you th

ally, she was right. We weren't su

ke hitched in my throat, momentarily choking me. Doubled over, I c

fespan by eleven minutes everyday

I sputtered, embarrassed by the situa

g my throat occasionally, the cough reflex behind my

would've never happened," I sai

k at me. "I wasn't the one tha

rom me and she l

nt straight to the point, stubbing out t

e of two notebooks. I flung the sheet toward her and then pulled out today

n her hand, she

I get a B?" I co

w," she answ

ly, I reached forward a

tepping back, a han

n just thump you, trust me." I told her. "So, f

eyes. Ignoring them, I held today

he tears shining brightly in her eyes. Knowin

o me, geek?" I said. "You wanna thump

ept s

ed, and, at once, she

do to me, Amelia?"

he first streak of tea

t's not what it seeme

o anything," she m

ing back from her. "T

on my homework paper again," and walked away, back onto the fiel

, from dad—into the curved driveway of the mansio

to the valet before heading on toward the huge, oak front d

evenly spaced living room, with its plush couches,

d Ashley at a corner of the room, standing before one of the windows. Dad was direc

d adjusted it so it sat properly on her neck. Turning a

hen the kiss held on for much long

I dropped my backpack to the floor with a dull thud. At onc

saw it was me, his face flushed. "You'r

nded early,

, Ashley slinking up

," she sm

I said, "It's Jason. I've told you

, "speak to your

I snorted. "Who's barely

seven," Ashl

said, "eleven years

p that," Da

its your way, dad," I frowned. "You and me, we're

honey," Ashley pouted, clin

not going anywhere," Dad said to me, "the s

"Ashley's not my mom and will never be. She's just you

ed up the windy, marbled stairc

d not Ashley," he ordered, now st

won't,"

you for the rest of the school year. No parties in the house, no going to parties, no

k at him. "You

, in a low voice, one that sign

ng mother," I yelled. "

e, boy, before I come over there an

gize to your mother

can

now,

teeth, I fis

id, through c

d like you're sorr

my gaze fell on Ashley,

. "Apology

before looking back

he stairs and straight to my room. I banged the door behi

, heading over to my bed and plopping down on i

moms already. I was done with that. I was sick and tired of the pretentious, gold

d if I hadn't convinced her to take me to David's party that Friday evening. If Amelia

home did the same. I couldn't be anywhere and be happy. At school, I had to dea

r how long I cou