Misfits Like Us (Like Us #11)(76)

“What’s tonight?” I wonder.

“Jesse Highland invited her to a college party,” Vada answers, but through the rearview mirror, I catch her mouthing to Kinney, bad idea.

Normally I’m not such a party pooper, but I kinda agree with Vada.

Audrey perks up. “Let’s go.”

“Ben doesn’t want us there,” Kinney says, still partially wedged beside my seat. “He group texted us and told us all not to come.”

Winona looks up from her phone. “He’s been weird since he’s been in college.”

Silence sinks over the car.

The reality: Winona has always been close to Ben, but now that he’s in college and she’s still in high school, they must be having some separation and growing pains in their friendship.

“Do you want to go, Vada?” Winona asks.

“I don’t know,” Vada says with a slight wince. “It’s college, Nona. Why are we fast-forwarding?”

Winona looks to the other two.

“I’ll do whatever,” Kinney says.

“We should go,” Audrey encourages. “Jesse was the one who invited us anyway. Not Ben.” For a moment, I’m wondering if she’s crushing on Jack’s brother, but Audrey catches me eavesdropping and says to me, “Jesse Highland is hopelessly in love with Winona.”

“No, he isn’t,” Winona tells me with ease. “Audrey’s a romantic.”

“People from California are just overly nice,” Kinney states. “It doesn’t mean it’s flirting.”

Winona types on her phone. “I’m telling Jesse we can’t go.”

“Really?” Vada asks.

“Really, truly,” Winona smiles over at Vada. “Homecoming with you all is way more important.”

Vada and Kinney look more excited to be chosen by Winona over Jesse, but Audrey is a little glum. I personally think she wanted to see a slice of her older brother’s life in college, and Winona was a good gateway there without being a “little sister” tagalong.

“Kinney, buckle up,” I sing-song while I pull out of the gated neighborhood. Paparazzi on the curb are already snapping photos as I drive past.

“You never answered me,” she whispers. “Why are you chaperoning?”

Ah, she didn’t forget that question. “It’s Xander’s first Homecoming. I just want to be there in case something happens.”

Kinney sighs. “You don’t need to baby him. This is why he’s irritated all the time. You and Moffy think he’s some breakable doll. He’s doing a lot better. I would know—I’m the one who’s around him the most.” Her territorial nature over Xander is noted.

“Then maybe I’m here in case some girl is mean to you,” I whisper back. “I’ve come up with a list of comebacks.”

“I already have an entire encyclopedia of roasts, Luna. I can stick up for myself.”

I never said you couldn’t.

“You just do your own thing,” Kinney continues without pause. “You’re a lit-up target, you know. Maybe I should be giving you my encyclopedia.”

Fairy lights are strung around my tight black dress. The battery pack is artfully strapped underneath my dress to my back. Duct tape for the win.

“I can stick up for myself too,” I say softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep a twelve-foot distance from you at all times.”

“Thank you,” she whispers, then adds quickly, “You look cool, by the way. Don’t let anyone mess with you.”

I assure her that I won’t, but I’m not so worried if people laugh at what I’m wearing. I’ve already concluded that they might. More people will likely be embarrassed for me than I’ll be embarrassed of myself.

Winona calls out like we’re at camp, “Coolest chaperone award goes to L to the U to the N to the A.”

“Luna!” Vada and Audrey finish with summer camp claps.

I smile. “You can all thank the PTA mom who is the Head of The Homecoming Committee. She’s the one who let me dress in costume when I asked.”

“Aunt Rose is the best,” Kinney says definitively.

Aunt Rose didn’t really question why I wanted to chaperone. Neither did my parents. I think they all assume I want to be there for Xander, and I do.

I promise, I do.

But I also want to see him.

“I will be your friendly neighborhood jellyfish,” I tell the girls. “You need something, just follow the glowing light.”

“Does this friendly jellyfish have any booze?” Vada asks with a gap-toothed smile. “Just asking for all the other thirsty sea creatures.”

“I am a very thirsty sea creature,” Audrey says into a nod.

Kinney gives me puppy dog eyes. “Luna?”

“Sorry, Kin. This jellyfish is of the dry sort.”

“Rats,” Audrey says, then gasps. “The picture I posted of Beckett and Charlie has over two million likes now. Look.” She shows the girls.

“Damn,” Vada whistles.

The girls pump Audrey up for a job well done. Recently, Beckett asked his little sister to run his Instagram account. He’d rather not have one, but his ballet company said he’s required to have a social media presence for publicity.