Page 38 of Forgotten Rules (Rules 4)

Unknown Number: Same thing.

Kass: Fine. Hi Willy Wonka.

Unknown Number: Don’t call me that, control freak.

Kass: That nickname is never going to go away, is it?

Unknown Number: Are you going to stop wanting to control everything?

Kass: No.

Unknown Number: Then it’s staying

I add his number to my contacts under Willy Wonka.

Kass: Are u still at my house?

Willy Wonka: Yep, waiting for your cousin. We have this thing tonight.

A thing? Probably some street fighting bullshit. I still can’t believe how quickly my cousin got herself involved in my brother’s mess. That’s got to take some serious skills. She hasn’t even been here a month yet.

Kass: What thing?

Willy Wonka: Would you believe me if I said fighting for world peace?

Kass: Nope.

Willy Wonka: Didn’t think so.

Kass: Does that “thing” have anything to do with Haze by any chance?

Ten minutes go by.

Willy Wonka: Maybe

Of course.

Kass: Just watch out for her please. I know Haze’s type. Winter is not prepared for that kind of player.

Willy Wonka: Believe it or not, I think he might actually kind of like her.

Kass: Good one.

Willy Wonka: I’m serious

Kass: Are you crazy? Because he helped her at the party doesn’t mean shit.

Willy Wonka: I’m just saying.

I’m not sure how to reply to that, so I don’t, letting the conversation die. I used to carry text conversations on my back all the time with Blake. I’d kill myself trying to rekindle our boring exchanges and come up with new topics, only to get short, one-word replies every time. I swore I’d never bend over backward like this again. Unless Will makes an eff—

Ding!

Willy Wonka: How’s the hangover?

Ah. Shit. Stop smiling.

Kass: I’m still alive, aren’t I?