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“Maybe, maybe not.” I said. “As long as I have you.”

??

I slouched in my seat as I took a tentative sip of beer. As we unwound before the charity match tomorrow, we sat cramped in Collin’s dimly lit basement. The night shifted from innocent to more daring as Kellan insisted we sneak out and get some more beer. My heart skipped a beat at his suggestion, but the nagging voice in the back of my mind warned me of the risks.

“We should call it a night.”

They brushed off my words.

“I’m in.” Ava said, raising her hand.

Elsie, never one to think for herself, raised her hand.

“Me too.”

Kellan, Collin, and Noah turned to me with raised hands. I got caught up in the moment, not wanting to disappoint them, so I pushed aside my doubts and raised my hand. They cheered.

We walked to the convenience store under the cover of darkness and huddled together to think of a game plan.

“I heard they don’t card here.” Kellan said.

I hesitated. My mind raced with the potential risks, but I knew they would dismiss my concerns. I followed them through the sliding glass doors. My nerves were on edge as we scoured the shelves for alcoholic beverages. My breath hitched as we reached the refrigerated section in the back. We each selected a drink and approached the counter. My heart pounded with a mix of fear and excitement. However, our nerves betrayed us as our hands shook with anxiety. The middle-aged cashier eyed us, his brows furrowed with suspicion as he rang up our purchases.

“I’m going to need some ID.” He said, leaving no room for negotiation.

We exchanged panicked glances before Kellan bolted out of the store with us on his tail. We sprinted through the parking lot. Our desperate escape came crumbling down when Collin tripped over a discarded box and went crashing to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. A sharp cry fell from his lips as he clutched his wrist. We skidded to a halt and huddled around him.

“Are you okay?” Noah asked.

“I think I broke my wrist.” Collin said, his face contorted in agony.

I felt a surge of panic wash over me as I thought of what to do next. Kellan knelt to help him stand. I brushed my hand over my face and sighed.

We were screwed.

??

22

“Right now I feel invisible to you.”

Losing Grip, Avril Lavigne

Sawyer

I moved with purpose as I busied myself with the preparations for the fundraiser. The icy chill nipped at my cheeks, but I was too determined to make everything perfect to take notice. With Stella’s help and the decorating committee’s generosity, the rink became a lively activity center. We set up tables along the walls and decorated them with stacks of pamphlets promoting the cause. I couldn’t help but swell in pride at what we’d accomplished.

Asher’s band had arrived a few moments ago to set up for their opening performance, but I had yet to see Joshua. The air hummed with anticipation as the band members did their final tuning and preparations. The doors would open shortly. I watched with rapt attention as they messed around on stage.

Behind them, I watched Stella open the doors as our spectators and donors walked through. I rushed to the stage and called Asher’s name.

“Have you seen Josh?”

“Nope.” He strummed a few chords on his guitar before acknowledging me. “He’s looking at himself in a mirror somewhere.”

This is not the time for sibling bitterness.

“The game is in thirty minutes and we are missing three players, one of them being my brother.” I said, brewing with anger. “This is all a disaster.”