Kissing Ted Callahan (and Other Guys)(43)

So what I’m saying is no matter what good things happen, I’m sure this is still pretty much doomed.





CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT


Madison walks up to me again a couple days later while I’m fighting books in and out of my locker. Maybe I should ask Ted to install a shelf for me. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I say.

“Here,” she says, and shoves a little box at me. The box is covered with this filmy metallic paper, and when I open it up there’s a feather earring inside, just like she said she’d make for me. It’s greenish blue and looks nothing like hers, so we won’t be creepy earring twins. “If you don’t like it, whatever, I can make you a different one.”

“No, it’s awesome. Thank you! I like the box, too.”

She shrugs. “I also made the box.”

“Oh my god, the box is even cooler than the earring! And the earring is awesome to begin with.”

Madison shrugs again. “Okay. You’re welcome.”

Ted walks down the hallway and waves, and I try not to grin beyond an appropriate manner as he walks up. “Hi, Riley.”


Madison shrugs again and heads off down the hall.

“What’s in the box?” Ted asks.

“This.” I take out the earring and put it in. “It’s a cool box, right?”

“Definitely, yeah.” He places something in the palm of my hand. “I have to get to class. See you in world history.”

“See you then.” I look down to see a tiny box of jelly beans. Score! Jewelry and candy in one morning.

Garrick smiles and waves at me as I walk into class. “Hi, Riley!”

“Hey.” I sit down next to him and open my book.

“Can I have one of those?” Garrick asks me, and I feel myself raring up to exclaim my shock over such a request. Except I remember that Garrick doesn’t know these are jelly beans of love. So I give him some.

I get a text from Milo as I’m walking to lunch, with news that Purple & Black is playing a free set at Amoeba tonight. So I respond with a yeahhh c u there!!!

After band practice that night I rush home, and—luckily?—Mom and Dad are both there already. I sit down at the kitchen table with my homework LIKE I NEVER DO and hope it gives me an air of industrious responsibility, not suspicion.

Dad leans over my world history textbook. “What are you learning in this?”

“Blah blah, the Romans,” I say. “Hey, guys, would it be okay if I went to a show at Amoeba tonight? I’ll come home right after.”

“Riley,” Mom says, “this week you had Yearbook and band practice. One night Reid was over, Monday you stopped off somewhere on your way home, and I’m sure you have plans Friday night.” (DO I!) “Would it kill you to spend the rest of the evening here?”

“But Purple & Black, this band I like, is doing a free set,” I say. “I’ve never seen them live, and, again, it’s free.”

“They’re pretty good,” Dad says. “Like Tegan and Sara but less Canadian.”

“Yes!” I feel bad for not going into more detail with him on the Romans. “So is it okay?”

There’s a lot of heavy sighing from the United Front as Ashley sweeps into the room to get yogurt from the refrigerator. “Is Riley going out again? Riley’s always going out.”

Killing your sister should be a thing you can do, if you want.

“No,” Dad says. “Riley, I’m sorry.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously,” Mom or Dad or whatever member of the United Front says.

I leave my books on the kitchen table and run out to the guesthouse where I call Milo.

“Hey.” His voice is full of promise and upcoming concertgoing.

“Hi, I’m sorry, I know this is so superlame, but my parents are being stupid and I’m not allowed to go out tonight, and I’m really sorry.”

“That sucks,” he says. “Is there any way you can sneak out?”

Sneak out? I’d never even thought of that. I am seriously the worst rock star ever.

“Yes,” I say, even though I have no plan of attack. It’s going to be SO GOOD to document later in the Passenger Manifest, and also I don’t want to pass up this show. Milo promises to pick me up down the street so Mom and Dad won’t see or hear his car, and I act disappointed and pathetic at dinner as to not set off any alerts.

After dinner I go back out to the guesthouse and crank up my iPod hooked to my speakers and let it run as I walk down the street. Milo’s car is there, as promised. I am a freaking certified badass as I sit down in the passenger seat. Milo’s blond hair has been cut since I saw him last, and it’s spiking up just a little, like he’s a tough guy who doesn’t care too much about his gorgeous freaking hair.

“That was actually supereasy,” I say. “Thanks for picking me up.”

He leans over to kiss me. “Thanks for going with me.”

“Thanks for telling me about it,” I say.

“I know I can rely on you for show attendance,” Milo says with a grin. “How’s everything with the band?”

I start to tell him about our gig at the Smell, but I know Ted’s going, and that feels too dangerous. “Well, Nathan hasn’t mentioned the EP or his epic riches as much lately, so I guess they’re okay.”