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Holden glares, but Mara misses it while starting to record.

“She’s not joking,” he says to her, way too close to the lens.

“Yes, she is.” Mara points the phone at me. “You’re funny.”

“I’m glad you think so, because”—I drop my voice—“if you break that phone, I’ll kill you.”

She holds it with two hands.

“Are we ready to go?” Taj asks over the loud puttering of his go-kart’s motor. A bit of exhaust creeps up my nostrils and I cough. “I want to throw some shit. Poop. Things.” He smiles sheepishly at Mara.

“Does Nita find your swearing attractive? Because I said damn in front of Rose and she—”

Holden speeds off, taking Mara’s question with him.

“Come on!” Taj revs his engine and I slide into the empty spot next to him, our legs cramped together, our hips and arms touching. At least I won’t get too cold.

We spend the next thirty minutes with Holden and Taj racing all over the course and throwing dice at each other. Taj reaches the finish line first only one of the five times we do it. Holden’s aim is pretty impressive. He only hits me instead of Taj twice, and I’m pretty sure only one of the times was on purpose.

Around eight o’clock, Nita comes out to tell us we have to wrap it up and drive the go-karts into the storage shed. As soon as Mara’s feet touch solid ground, she lets loose all the ice cream she ate beforehand. Then, Taj bails, saying something aboutpuking when others puke, leaving Nita and Holden to clean up the mess while I get Mara water. She leans against my shoulder as we replay the footage from my phone and the camera.

Holden definitely hit me on purpose that time.

Corrine

Today 10:21 AM

I have to pull out of the game this afternoon

10:21 AM

What’s up? Are you okay?

10:23 AM

Been making out with the toilet all morning

10:24 AM

JEALOUS

10:24 AM

Need me to bring you some saltines? Walk bagel?

10:24 AM

Please don’t be mad

10:24 AM

Of course I’m not mad!

10:25 AM

Let me know if you need anything

10:25 AM

You’re the best

10:26 AM