Page 29 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Yeah…um, good night.”

He waves goodbye to me, the rest of the gang, and Dani and Jasmine, grabs his book and backpack, and leaves the room.

I stare at the door he walked through, more jumbled thoughts stuffing my brain. Did he really say he thinks I’m majestic when I dance?

“Lexi, are you okay or do you need a longer break?” Jasmine asks me.

I quickly shake my head and toss away my cup. “Coming.”

Chapter Eleven

Brock

I park my bike in the garage, then make my way into my house. I had a good time hanging out at the dance studio with my friends today. Felt like old times.

I loved watching them dance, but Lexi…she was astonishing. Majestic, like I told her. I always thought she was amazing, but she’s gotten even more stunning over the past four years. She’s just so happy and in her element when she dances, like she’s transported to another world. She gets the same look on her face when she talks about ocean life. I love how passionate she is about the things she cares about.

Dad’s the only one home, since Mom is still at work. She, with the help of Easton, started a charity organization that encourages girls to get into sports.

“Is that you, Brock?” Dad calls from his office, where he’s probably working on his book.

“Yeah.”

Footsteps sound before he enters the kitchen. I reach for a can of Dr Pepper and chug half of it down. “Remember you have an appointment with Dr. Brewer in ten minutes,” Dad tells me.

“Yep.” I take another sip.

Dad casually crosses his arms over his chest as he studies me. “How was school?”

“Fine.”

He continues to study me. It’s like he’s trying to assess how I’m doing without asking questions that would make me uncomfortable.

“Dad, I’m fine.”

He squints at me. “You look like you have a lot on your mind. Anything you want to talk to me about?”

I finish up the last bit of the sugary liquid. Yeah, I do have a lot on my mind. From lame and trivial stuff like school to more important topics like my guilt about Andy’s death that I’m trying to get over and my confusing feelings about Lexi. I love hanging out with her, but it feels like there’s this wall between us. It seems to grow thinner the more time we spend together, though.

“Isn’t that what my shrink is for?” I ask. “Thanks, but I’m good, and I really need to go. You know Dr. Brewer hates when I’m late.”

“All right. Have a good session.”

I salute and make my way to my room. Dad and I used to be very close, especially because we both love sci-fi and fantasy books. We’d joke around as we reenacted our favorite scenes. He was such a dork. Sometimes we even got Mom and Zoey to join us. It was so much fun, memories I’ll cherish forever. But at the same time, other memories creep in from the corners of my mind. It’s hard to think about the good without thinking about the bad as well. But I guess that’s just something I’ll have to live with. I don’t want to ever forget Andy, which means I’ll always remember that terrible summer and the years following it.

I settle down at my desk with my laptop, and a few minutes later, I connect with my therapist.

The session lasts for about an hour and I’m glad to report it goes well. We talk about my new school and how I’m adjusting, as well as other things.

After the session, I get started on my homework. Edenbury High gives just as much homework as my school back in Boston, which is a lot. Before I left, I made a deal with my grandparents, promising to keep my grades up. After all, my bike is still conditional. Grandpa and Grandma told me that the minute my grades slip, it’s goodbye motorcycle. Iwon’tlet that happen.

As I’m reading from the bio textbook, my phone dings with a text.

Theo: Hey, Brick. This essay is killing me. Write it for me? Pretty please with a great white shark on top?

Brock: Did you just call me Brick?

Theo: Darn auto correct. Brick.