“Weird how?”
“He was super quiet. Didn’t really seem up for chatting, which was fine, because I had my true crime podcast. But obviously J. T. not talking isn’t normal.”
“Did you know it was the anniversary of his little sister’s death yesterday?”
Nori lowers her head. “Oh no. I forgot about that. That would explain it.” We sit in silence for a few moments before she speaks again. “But can we please discuss the fact that you saw J. T.’s adult penis. How big are we talking? On a scale of pen-cap micro to forearm ginormous? Tell me everything,” she asks, fascinated.
I shake my head as she pulls the Volvo back onto the road. “First, there is no human penis in the world the size of a forearm. At least I hope not. Unless it’s the forearm of a baby or a very tiny person.” I shake the image out of my head. “Anyway, the point is, I kind of . . . liked it?”
She chokes. “His penis? Or him?”
I shrug. “Both?”
“I . . . yeah. That’s some weird shit. I kinda figured you’d have castrated him. But that’s growth. I’m proud of you.”
I can tell my face is turning red, so I cover it with my hands. “Never, ever bring this up ever again. You will go to your grave with this information,” I warn.
“You know I’m a vault.”
“Good, because I’m not telling anyone else about this. Not even Kassie. She’ll just tell Renner, possibly in front of everyone. Keeping secrets isn’t exactly her forte.”
“You should tell J. T.,” she decides, waving at him as we pull up into the parking lot.
He’s in one of his smedium T-shirts again, forearms on display, though less veiny than they were peeking out of his dress shirt as an adult. He gives me a salute and a half smile, which is new. Then again, since I texted about my scholarship news, we’ve been going back and forth, mostly about the Senior Sleepover logistics. But still.
I snort. “He’s the last person I’m telling.”
“Why, though? It’s possible he experienced the same thing.”
“Nori, be serious. I can’t just casually ask him if he slipped into the future and was about to marry me. That’s way too much ammo. He’ll make fun of me for eternity.”
She unfastens her seat belt, sneaking one last glance at Renner through the window. “We have one week of high school left. You’re not ever going to see him again. What’s the worst he can do?”
THIRTY-ONE
I decide not to tell Renner a thing. I’m still not convinced it was anything but a deranged figment of my overactive imagination. And frankly, peace of mind isn’t worth my reputation. Besides, the Senior Sleepover is far too hectic to broach the topic.
Who knew having all four hundred seniors stuffed into the B gym would be complete and utter chaos? Well, I guess I should have known. Maybe this is why it was such a challenge to find chaperones.
Kassie and Ollie are nowhere to be seen, yet again. Renner texted Ollie, but he hasn’t responded. This leaves me, Nori, Renner, and some of the more helpful teachers to set up the photo booth, the movie projector, all the games and snacks, and order the pizzas.
We have to barricade the outside of the gym with stacked chairs and leftover Halloween caution tape from the drama club’s haunted house in October. No one is permitted to leave the gym, unless it’s to use the restroom. Of course, not half an hour into the night, a group of band kids already managed to hot-box the bathroom.
After completing most of our tasks, Nori and I finally get to relax and find a quiet corner to set up our sleeping bags.
“We need to make a space for Kassie,” I say, moving slightly closer to Nori to make room.
Nori gives me a look. “Um, I dunno if that’s necessary.” She points over my shoulder, and that’s when I see her.
Kassie is here, on the far side of the gym. She looks effortlessly cool in a pair of pink mirrored aviators and a distressed denim jacket. Her blonde hair is tied back with a retro headband, and her sleeping bag is tucked under her arm. She’s laughing with Andie and some of the girls from cheer squad, and I see them make room in the middle of their pack for her sleeping bag.
“Isn’t she supposed to hang with us?” Nori asks.
“Yup.” Kassie eagerly plunks down and tosses Andie a candy bar. Something stirs in my gut and it’s not shock, despite our conversation at lunch about hanging out tonight. Kassie said it would be like old times, Funyuns and all.
Everyone gets up when the pizzas arrive. Kassie waltzes right up to Nori and me and grabs a box for the squad. She’s casual, friendly, as though she has no idea she’s ditched our plans.