something really awful is going to happen. Not sure what yet.” He hesitates before adding, “Maybe it will open up a cavern full of goblins.” He’s followed me, but lingers in my doorway. It’s an unspoken rule in our house—never enter a bedroom without a verbal invitation. In general, our family tends to be lacking in firm boundaries, so this is one Jude and I protect at all costs. The house we live in isn’t equipped for all seven of us. There are only three official bedrooms—the master for my parents, Lucy and Penny in bunk beds, and me in the third bedroom, with Jude down in the converted basement. But with “baby” Ellie still sleeping on a toddler bed in my parents’ room, and outgrowing it quick, there’s been talk lately of having to do some rearranging. I’m terrified that means I’m going to be losing my private sanctuary. Luckily, my parents have been too busy with the record store to bother with rearranging and redecorating, so the status quo continues. For now.
“So how was the rest of karaoke?”
I frown at him. “Kind of you to ask, as someone put my name up to sing ‘Instant Karma!’ and didn’t bother to tell me.”
His brow creases. “Really?”
I raspberry my lips. “Please. It’s fine. I’m not mad. It was actually”—I bob my head to the sides—“kind of fun. But still. Next time, give me some warning, okay?”
“What? I didn’t put your name in.”
I pause from braiding my hair and look at him. Really look.
He seems legitimately baffled.
But then, so did Ari.
“You didn’t?”
“No. I wouldn’t do that. Not without your okay.”
I wrap a band around the end of the braid, securing it in place. “But if you didn’t, and Ari didn’t…”
We’re quiet for a moment, before Jude says hesitantly, “Quint?”
“No.” I’d been thinking the same thing, but I have to dismiss it. Quint couldn’t have heard us talking about that song. And Carlos wasn’t around, either. “Maybe the woman who was running the karaoke? Think she heard us and thought I needed the extra push?”
“Wouldn’t be very professional.”
“No. It wouldn’t.” I grab my backpack from where I hung it on my chair last night. “Anyway, I guess it doesn’t really matter. I sang. I danced. I was halfway decent, if I do say so myself.”
“I’m sorry I missed it.”
“I bet you are. I printed out your paper for you, by the way.” I hand him the one-page report.
“Thanks. So, hey.” He raps his knuckles against the door frame. “I was thinking of going to the end-of-year bonfire tonight.”
“What? You?” The annual Fortuna Beach High’s bonfire party is as much Jude’s scene as it is mine. We didn’t go last year, even though lots of freshmen did. I even remember some of our peers going when we were still in middle school. “Why?”
“Just thought I should see what it’s all about. Don’t knock it till you try it sort of thing. Think you and Ari want to go?”
My gut reaction is No way, we’re good, thanks. But I’m still trying to figure out Jude’s motives. I squint at him. He seems casual. Too casual.
“Ooooh,” I say, sitting on the edge of my bed as I pull on my socks. “It’s because Maya will be there, isn’t it?”
He shoots me an unimpressed look. “Believe it or not, I don’t live my life by Maya Livingstone’s schedule.”
My eyebrows rise. I’m unconvinced.
“Whatever,” he grumbles. “I’ve got nothing better to do tonight, and without any homework to keep you busy, I know you don’t, either. Come on. Let’s go check it out.”
I picture it. Me, Jude, and Ari, swigging sodas by a huge bonfire, sand in our shoes, sun in our eyes, watching as the seniors get drunk on cheap beer and wrestle one another in the waves.
My utter disinterest must show on my face, because Jude starts to laugh. “I’m going to bring a book,” he says. “Just in case it’s awful. Worst-case scenario, we stake out a place near the food and read all evening. And I’ll tell Ari to bring her guitar.”
My interpretation of the night changes, and I see the three of us lounging around, books in one hand, s’mores in the other, while Ari strums her newest tune. Now that actually sounds like a delightful evening.
“Fine, I’ll go,” I say, grabbing my backpack. “But I’m not getting in the water.”
“Wasn’t even going to ask,” says Jude. He knows that I find the ocean terrifying, mostly because sharks. I would also be lying