Page 111 of Fireworks

“That sounds ominous.”

She leaned her back against the kitchen sink as she pulled her hair up into a ponytail.

“So, Paul’s little brother is a freshman this year. He promised him we could all hang out tonight. Paul wasn’t thinking that you might not really feel like having people over yet when he came up with this genius plan.”

Thinking for a minute, I didn’t really want company. She was right, but it was her place, too. I didn’t want her to think that she wasn’t free to come and go as she pleased. Technically, this was her apartment, and she was letting me stay here.

“It’s fine. Maybe it’ll be nice having some people around.”

Forcing out the most convincing smile, I waited to see if she was going to say anything else. Lucky for me, she didn’t.

When Paul knocked on the door, the sense of dread that had been simmering within me the last few hours started bubbling to the surface. I had been doing a great job at steering clear of anyone, even my family lately. Classes were starting soon, and I was going to be in lecture halls and taking part in classes.

I couldn’t continue to let my depression take complete control over my life. It would not be easy, but nothing in life ever truly was. I had showered and changed into a pair of jeans. The modest, off the shoulder black shirt that my mom had picked me up at the mall as a gift to cheer me up, completed my casual look. I pulled half of my hair up and curled it to give it some nice beachy waves. If I was going to be okay, then I needed to start with how I looked. If everyone else saw that I was trying to regain control, then maybe I could trick myself into thinking that I was.

“Katie, this is Noah, my little brother.”

We exchanged hellos as everyone made their way into the kitchen to grab something to drink.

“Noah isn’t allowed to drink, but I’m definitely going to steal one of those beers.”

Paul dipped his head into the fridge, retrieving a beer that Asher got us before he had left. Asher had made us promise to be responsible if we were drinking.

“Seriously man? It’s not bad enough that I’m stuck spending my night with you, but I can’t even drink?”

Noah’s face was a mix of frustration and disdain.

“Why the fuck even bring me?”

Walking across the room, Paul smacked Noah in the back of the head.

“Watch your mouth. You think mom would be proud of you talking like that in front of the girls?”

My hand rose at an alarming speed to cover my mouth. The liquid inside threatening to spray everyone in the room. Nearly choking, I attempted to laugh as I swallowed the water left in my mouth. Everyone’s eyes were glued to me, not understanding what I could have found so funny. Or maybe it was because neither Paul nor Ryder had heard me laugh much recently.

“I’m so sorry.”

Grabbing a paper towel from the counter, I blotted my mouth as they all watched me with caution.

“You okay over there roomie?”

Ryder's eyes shifted on and off me, trying to see what was going through my mind without having to speak.

“I just remembered the first time Mrs. King heard Asher and Nate curse in front of me. She lost her shit over it. I didn’t care, of course, but she was so mad that they were, as she said, using vulgarity in front of a lady. I was like eight. She made them both apologize, and that just pissed them off even more.”

Chuckling to myself, Ryder and Paul sat motionless, their eyes wide. They hadn’t heard me laugh or talk about Nate once since the accident. I hadn’t spoken his name since the day that I told Asher everything about our relationship.

“So, Noah, any idea what you plan to major in?”

I quickly attempted to change the subject, realizing that neither of them was ready to handle what talking about Nate around me might do. Noah shifted on his feet, shoving his hands in his pockets.

“I was thinking about business since there are a lot of things I can do with that. What are you majoring in?”

Shifting my body to face him, I took another sip of water before speaking.

“My brother majored in business, and he loved it. Well, I mean as much as someone who hates school can, I suppose. I’m majoring in architecture.”

Ryder looked at me, turning her head to the side.