Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
I sit up and stretch as the credits start rolling.
“Well, that was a pleasant surprise,” Dex says as he ties my hoodie around his waist.
I glance toward the projector and the blond guy. “What, the movie?”
“No, watching it with you.” He presses our shoulders together. “Almost like old times.”
“To be fair, I didn’t see a lot of it,” I reply through a yawn.
“You always fall asleep during movies.”
“Right?” Kael says, and they high-five. Nothing like your best friend and roomie double-teaming you.
I pout. “Well, this time, it’s because the book was better.”
Kael’s eyebrows knit together. “Isn’t that normally the case? More time for character development and all that.”
We stand along with the others. “You do realize that movies have writers too.”
“No use arguing this topic with Austin,” Dex says, and Kael chuckles as I help him fold our blanket.
I jump when my cell rings. Not that I don’t get many calls, but okay, maybe I don’t.
I quickly punch the button when I see it’s a video call from my mom. My pulse throbs as I rush out, “Is everything okay?”
Dex grows still beside me, likely knowing I’m worried because of the late hour. Calls with my mom normally take place in the mornings before classes and work.
“Yes, of course.” She sweeps her auburn hair behind her ear. “We just haven’t heard from you in a few days. It’s good to see your face.”
“You know how your mother gets,” my stepdad pipes in as he comes into view over her shoulder. “If she doesn’t hear from you, she worries.”
“Sorry.” I realize right then that we haven’t texted much this week. “But when you call me at odd hours, I get worried.”
Dex’s voice rings out. “Guess you’re even.”
“Is that Dex I hear in the background?” Mom asks with a smile.
“Yep, and Kael.” They both wave when I flip the camera in their direction.
“We just finished watching a movie. I tried to see it without him, but Dex won’t leave me alone, even though he’s not my roommate anymore.”
“It’s true.” Dex steps up behind me, and I can feel his warm breath on my neck. “I’m forcing him to keep being my friend.”
I roll my eyes and laugh.
“Oh, please.” Mom’s eyes crinkle in amusement. “You two were meant to be in each other’s lives.”
“She always says that.” My stepdad smiles. “But I agree. Keep being good to each other.”
When I end the call, Dex throws his arm around me and messes my hair.
“See?” Milo says. “Built-in ‘rents too.”
Dex cracks up, but I don’t look at him or respond because, for some reason, my skin feels all prickly. It’s true that we get along great with each other’s parents, but it doesn’t mean we should date each other. That might ruin everything.
Kael and I wave our goodbyes and head in the opposite direction.
17
DEX
It’s Saturday morning, and I’m volunteering for the local LGBTQ+ Teen Center’s food and clothing drive with the campus club. But it’s about more than food for the houseless teens who end up there. It’s also school supplies, undergarments, and bedding, among other things that are sorely needed to fulfill their basic needs.
I help Jason set up a table in the center of campus to accept donations, and students seem more than willing to give. Some drop off canned goods, while others donate money they dig out of their pockets, and let me tell you, every little bit counts.
There’s another group nearby handing out flyers for some sort of event and one of them with brown hair approaches me.
“Hi, I’m Jay. Can I hand you the deets about our oil-drilling protest?”
“Sure.” I take the paper, focusing on the time and date and the fact that it’s taking place on the beach. “A drag show theme? Sounds great.”
“Right?” He smiles big. I can see the gleam in his eye. The same one I probably get when I’m proud of something I’ve done to help the community. In Jay’s case, it’s for the environment. The two definitely go hand in hand.
Jay turns to a group of students walking by to hand out more flyers.
“Hope you get a huge turnout,” I call after him.
I make a mental note to show up myself, hopefully with Austin in tow.
Speak of the devil, I smile when I spot Kael and Austin heading in my direction, holding two large garbage bags. I only briefly mentioned the fundraiser, so I’m pleasantly surprised to see them.
“What have you got there?” I ask when they set the bags on the table. Jason raises his eyebrows in our direction, though he’s busy chatting with the other club members who showed up to volunteer.
“Mostly underwear and socks,” Austin replies. “It was Kael’s idea to include chest binders and packers for the trans youth.”
“It’s hard out there, especially if you don’t have support at home,” Kael says, and my heart clenches. His input is invaluable.