Page 11

Turning her attention back to me, I could feel her eyes trying to analyze what was going on. She didn't ask me about the gunfire, but I could tell she wanted to. I could also tell she understood exactly why I stumbled into her yard right then.

The realization embarrassed me. I didn't like that she could put together such small pieces and know so much about me. It wasn't information I wanted her to have, because I didn't want her to fear me or pity me.

“Well, want to catch fireflies with me?”

“I don't want to catch stupid fireflies.” The harshness in my voice caused her to take a step back and glare at me.

“Are you alright? Does it hurt?” she asked, poking her eyes around my face. “Can I help?” Stretching her hand out slowly, I jerked my body, causing her to pull back.

“There's nothing you can do.” Covering my swelling lid with my palm, I acted like everything was fine. “It's not that bad.”

“Want some ice?”

“No, I'm fine.”

Studying me, Blue angled her head, her lips drawing taut. “If you're fine, then you can catch fireflies.”

“I'm not catching dumb fireflies!” Raising my voice, my shoulders snapped square. “I need to go, good luck with your stupid bugs.”

“They're not stupid, you're stupid.” Blue said, snubbing her nose in the air. “Don't help, I don't care, I'll catch them all on my own.”

Blue twisted the cap off her jar and spun away from me on the tips of her toes. Slow and cautiously, she walked on the very edges of her toes, not making a sound. I was surprised by how silent she actually was, sneaking up on the little blinking beacons and scooping them into her jar.

“How do you do that?” I asked, keeping my voice low and relaxed as I circled a finger in her direction.

“Do what? Catch the fireflies?” Glancing at me over her shoulder, she quickly tore her eyes away as a green bulb flashed by her face. “It's really easy, all—”

“No,” I said, cutting her off. “How do you walk around on your toes like that? You're almost standing straight.”

“Oh, I learned that in ballet.” Twirling in a circle, Blue gave me a big smile. “It's easier if I have my ballet shoes on, but you can still do it like this. Come on, give it a try.”

“I can't do that, there's no way.”

“How do you know? You haven't tried yet.” Capping her jar, she set it in the dirt and walked over to me. “Kick off your shoes.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes, seriously, take them off.”

“This is weird.” Stepping on the back of my heel, I pulled my foot out and repeated it on the other side. Bending over, I fixed my sock, pulling my toe back in before she could notice the giant hole.

Lifting her arm to my shoulder, I flinched automatically. Her expression changed, as if she understood me completely without me having to say a word, or show her the bruises running up my arms.

“I'm not going to hurt you,” she said gently. Eyeing me, Blue moved her hand slower, resting it softly on my shoulder. “Now, put your hand on my shoulder.”

“Why?”

“To help you balance.” Staying silent, I just looked at her with a blank stare. “What, are you afraid to touch a girl? Afraid you'll catch my cooties?”

“No, I'm not afraid. Nothing scares me, I'm a man.”

“A man?” Cocking a brow, Blue looked me up and down. “You do realize that we're both still kids. You're not a man, just like I'm not a woman.”

“Maybe not yet, but I will be one day.”

“One day, but that's not today.” Shaking my shoulder, she held out her other arm. “Alright, hold out your arm like this.” I stood still, not really moving. “Just do it, Jayden, hold out your arm.”

“Fine.” Rolling my eyes, I lifted my arm shoulder high.