Page 57

“Maybe. Let’s talk about it later.”

I frown, but I guess it’s true that the last time we drove someplace together I got grounded for two months. Maybe it’s better if Mom or Dad drives me.

“So, I want to hear more about a certain bespectacled gamer. What’s the latest on you two?”

I flop back onto my bed. “Nothing new.”

If I’m being honest, it’s hard to admit to her all my feelings about Nathan. It’s so embarrassing. I was so cocky with myfoolproof plan to flirt with him without any consequences, and nowI’mbecoming the lovesick fool instead of Sophia. I peek at Hoshiko, wondering how much she suspects. We’ve been best friends long enough that she usually knows when I’m trying to hide something.

She raises an eyebrow but doesn’t question me further. “I think we deserve a musical rewatch before the boys get here. Today feels like aHairsprayday.”

“Yes.”

By the time we get to the final scene, Hoshiko and I are standing in the small space between the couch and the TV, doing the twist and belting out the words like we’re onstage in NYC. Dad walks into the living room from the kitchen, but I ignore him. He’s not making me miss the last notes in “You Can’t Stop the Beat.”

Hoshiko twirls next to me and I grab her hand as we fall backward onto the couch in a flurry of laughter. Applause comes from behind us…and there’s more than just Dad clapping. We whip around to find all four boys clapping and laughing alongside Dad.

“Oh my God, when did you get here?” I ask.

“About halfway through the song,” Dad says with a chuckle. “You two were so caught up you didn’t hear the knocking. You’re just the same as when you were little.”

I cover my face with my hands, thinking of elementary school and all the evenings I’d spend singing, dancing, and dressing up in elaborate costumes. Clearly, Dad hasn’t forgotten about that either.

“Are there home movies of that? I’d love to see them,” Lucas says eagerly.

“That was plenty for me,” John replies. “We could hear you from the parking lot.”

The boys wander around, picking up Dad’s action figures and pointing to some of the comics he has framed on the walls. Nathan exclaims about one of the retro gaming systems in the corner. I was wondering whether there would be any flirting or weirdness between us here, but he’s acting like I’m just another friend. Which makes sense. There’s no reason to put on a show since we have absolute assurance that neither Paul nor Sophia is going to show up. Still, it feels odd to be in the same room with him and not have his attention.

“And you have an arcade cabinet,” Anthony says, giving it a reverent pat. “Based on the 1992X-Mengame?”

“You know it. Everyone’s welcome to play a few games. No quarters required.”

“Hold on, we need to focus,” Nathan breaks in. “We’re here for one thing and it’s not show tunes or retro video games…as cool as those sound. It’s Monty Python time.”

“I’ll show you around after. And pizza will be here soon.” Dad eyes the group. “I have to go downstairs to the laundry room, but after that I’ll be in the other room painting my Hordes army. But the walls are thin, so make sure you behave.” He winks at Nathan and me before heading out the front door with a laundry basket. The others exchange a glance.

“What was that about?” Anthony asks.

I wince. “He thinks Nathan and I are together.”

“And you haven’t told him the truth?”

“It was too awkward. How do we explain without us coming across as totally pathetic?”

“I can promise you, there’s no way to do that,” Anthony says with a grin. “Although I could argue that Nathan’s got exactly the right idea. He gets to flirt with multiple girls without getting in trouble.”

I roll my eyes. “Anyway.Turns out Dad has Blu-rays for all the movies so we should be good.”

“Before we start the movie, there was something I wanted to mention,” Lucas interrupts. “Well…I guess not just me…”

He turns to Hoshiko, and I gasp when I see Hoshiko’s cheeks flush pink.

She nods at me. “Lucas and I are going to homecoming together!”

“Ahh!” I swat at Hoshiko. “I can’tbelieveyou didn’t tell me earlier! That whole time we were singing our hearts out and it never popped into your mind?!”

“I’m sorry, I know, I know, I’m a terrible best friend. But I was planning to tell you as soon as Lucas got here.”