for trouble where Justin is concerned. And don’t forget, he slept with Violet when she first moved back to the Cape, to help her try to fuck Andre out of her system.”
Their friend Violet was now engaged to Andre. They traveled several months out of the year, setting up medical clinics in newly developed nations, and they were currently in Honduras. When Violet had slept with Justin, she and Andre had been broken up and he’d been overseas. Chloe and their friends had been having breakfast at Summer House Inn when they’d overheard Violet and Andre arguing about her tryst with Justin. She didn’t know why it bothered her so much that they’d hooked up with the sole purpose of fucking Andre out of her system, but it did.
“Don’t you think that’s a little questionable?” Chloe asked. “It’s not something I would ever do. It’s not like they were even dating.”
“I think Long Dong Naked Man is a really good friend.”
Chloe felt her cheeks burn over the nickname their friend Emery had given him the summer after Justin and Violet’s not-so-secret sex romp, when Emery had been staying with Violet and she’d seen Justin walk out of Violet’s bedroom naked. Rumors spread as quickly as weeds around Bayside, and they’d learned that Justin had been posing for a sculpture Violet was making, and he’d stayed over. Violet and Justin had wanted to squash any untrue rumors, and they’d insisted they hadn’t had sex since Violet had first come back to the Cape right after she’d broken up with Andre. Justin had simply slept naked, which was another thing Chloe would never do with a man who was just a friend.
“You’d probably feel different if Drake had done that with one of your friends,” Chloe insisted. “But he’s loved you since you were kids. Don’t you see, Serena? You’re lucky. You’re with a great, stable guy who has nothing questionable in his background or in his life. I want to be lucky, too. Is that so bad? I’m sure there has to be one conservative guy out there who isn’t an automaton. Look at Tegan—she’d only just moved to town when she met Jett Masters, and he’s the love of her life.”
“They’re so good together. But you know how I feel about your dating decisions. I vote that you stop going after boring, vanilla doughnuts that can only leave you wanting something bigger and better and lose yourself in a thick, creamy éclair, with choco—”
“Stop! You’re going to make me gag. Why do you always connect doughnuts to sex?”
“Maybe because my man is as delicious as a cream-filled doughnut. Seriously, though. I bet Justin lives up to his Wicked name.”
“I’m sure he does, but I want more than hot sex, Serena. Sex is great while it lasts, but if there’s nothing more, then I’m left feeling even lonelier than ever. Can we please not talk about this anymore? My Junior/Senior Program starts next week, and I’m holding orientation this afternoon. I have to get ready.”
“You must be excited.”
“I am. I can’t believe it’s finally happening. Teenage exuberance is contagious, and these new friendships should go a long way to alleviate loneliness for the residents here. Something as simple as being read to, playing a game, or even taking a walk could brighten their spirits and give them something to look forward to each week.”
“You know, those people who live there are lucky to have you. You’re always trying to make their lives better.”
“Thank you. You should see the collage I made for Louis Flessinger’s ninety-second birthday last week. I had taken pictures of him with other residents, his grandchildren, and his daughter and put them on a large board that I decorated with fabric and cute embellishments. He cried when I gave it to him.” She loved making keepsakes like picture boards, albums, and cards for her friends, the residents at LOCAL, and for herself and Serena.
“You’ve always known that the small things make the biggest differences,” Serena said.
“Well, I hope this program makes a difference because I’ve been researching another program I’d like to mention in my meeting with the board next week, just to feel them out. If this one does well and the board doesn’t shut down my next idea, I’m going to put together a formal proposal and pitch it to Alan. It can’t hurt to strike while the iron’s hot.”
“You’d know best,” Serena said. “What’s the other program?”
“Do you remember that puppeteering article I told you