Audre & Bash Are Just Friends(17)

“Is this just my reality? Having panic attacks in the middle of making out?”

“You weren’t attracted to him! And he ruined the vibe by being gross all night.”

“I guess. Maybe I’m just too in-my-head about it. I just wish I was braver. Less anxious. Fearless.”

Reshma stared off into the distance for a moment, lost in thought. Then she uttered a small yelp of excitement and whipped out her phone. “Fuck Ellison. We’re moving forward.”

Reshma started typing in her notes app. After a moment, she announced, “I just wrote you a list of dares to complete this summer. This is your Experience Challenge.”

Audre stared at her. “You mean like ding-dong ditch?”

“What are you, seven?” Reshma rolled her eyes.

“What I’m not gonna do is let you get me in trouble right before senior year.”

“No, it’s nothing illegal or weird. Here, just read the list.”

Audre took the phone and began to scroll.

1. Try a risky new physical activity.

2. Buy a dildo.

3. Stay out at a party past 10 PM.

4. Hook up with someone you have ACTUAL chemistry with.

5. Face a major fear.



Audre cackled with laughter. “Buying a dildo isn’t weird? Why do I need to do that?”

“Babe, if I have to explain why…”

“And you know my bedtime is nine thirty PM. Justice for sleepy girlies.”

“Think of it this way. Your new experiences are gonna make your book so good.”

Audre reread the list, slowly coming around to the idea. She did love a challenge. And what else was she doing this summer, anyway? Maybe this insane Experience Challenge would take her mind off her troubles. Plus, Reshma was right—how was she supposed to write a book about living your best life without, well, living her own?

“Every moment of this summer counts, Audre. Don’t waste it in bed. Well, in bed alone.”

“That’s what Bash said,” said Audre. “The part about making every moment count.”

Reshma ripped off her sunnies. “Bash Henry? When did you talk to him?”

“I saw him in Prospect Park the other night. I was in a horrible mood and I said some wild shit to him. Ugh, I’m so embarrassed.”

“I doubt anything you did seemed wild to that guy. You’ve heard the rumors, right? The girlies say he went down on his girlfriend’s mom back wherever he comes from. Also, I heard he’s in a gang,” said Reshma. “That, I can’t see. He looks too soft for that life.”

Audre was barely listening. “I ran into Bash right after I found out Dadifornia was canceled. Dad didn’t even seem sad about it. You should’ve heard him ‘consoling’ me. It was like he was giving me a pep talk after losing a Little League game.”

“People get weird when they get pregnant. Remember Lady and the Tramp? When Jim Dear and Darling got pregnant, they forgot Lady existed. But by the end, they were one big happy family.”

“That’s a terrible example,” answered Audre. “Lady ran off with Tramp, a naughty dog who, thanks to his antics, got her thrown in the pound.”

“Lady had the time of her life with Tramp. And so will you, when you get through my list. But, wait—with me going to Argentina, who’s gonna hold you accountable? You need a partner.”

“My own Tramp to show me a good time,” said Audre, half joking.

“Brilliant idea! Who do we know that’s adventurous? That’s down for whatever?”

They both gasped. The answer was obvious.





Chapter 8


Audre wasn’t the only one with a well-known side hustle. It was a thing at her school. Most kids had wealthy families and didn’t need the money—but earning dollars in sneaky ways gave them a perverse thrill. Asher Janus hired a bouncer to let his friends into bars in the city, charging kids fifty dollars a head. Paloma Wood charged one hundred and fifty dollars to make a fake ID. For sixty dollars, Tessie Maxwell allowed people to steal vintage designer pieces from her mom’s closet.

As a longtime entrepreneur, Audre appreciated this. You provide a service, you collect a fee. It was a clean, straightforward exchange. Everyone knew what to expect. In a world where everything was confusing, sometimes good old American capitalism was a comfort.

And Audre was ready to get comfortable.

Reshma made an extremely good point the other day. Audre did need some real-life experience to write an excellent book. And now that Reshma was in Argentina, she’d need a Fun Person to help her loosen up. So Audre was going to flex her businesswoman muscle—and hire Bash Henry to be her consultant.

Bash seemed perfect for the job, based on his reputation. But since Audre didn’t personally know anything about him, she did some research. That night, at dusk, she headed to “The Turf”—a city block of fake grass behind a neighborhood elementary school that turned into a rowdy high school party most nights after sundown.

Audre casually worked her way from friend group to friend group. After a few moments of small talk, she dove in. “Wait, random question—do you know Bash Henry? I have a friend who thinks he’s cute. Just doing a little research.”

The responses varied wildly.

Oliver Franks: “I for real heard he was kicked out of his last school for breaking up the principal’s marriage.”