Speechless(179)

                He keeps smiling his loopy smile. “Only on life, Sam.”

                “And a fuckton of Vicodin,” adds Andy. “He’s on some hard-core                     painkillers right now.” He starts rolling Noah toward the school. “We’re going                     to sit on the sidelines and watch you kids live it up.”

                Living it up, indeed. The gym’s decorations are as mediocre as                     ever—leftover silver Christmas tinsel and plastic glittering snowflakes                     everywhere—but the place is packed, reeking of sweat and cheap cologne and                     teenage hormones.

                “Smells like teen spirit,” Andy quips as he guides Noah to one                     of the empty side tables.

                Asha wastes no time in dragging me onto the floor. I had no                     idea the girl could dance like she does. My initial self-consciousness vanishes                     from the sheer, overpowering force of her shamelessness. A few minutes later Sam                     abandons Andy and Noah to join us; he dances like your typical boy, all minimal                     feet shuffling and head bobbing, but he looks like he’s enjoying himself, and                     that’s what really matters. Having fun. And I am. We get a few strange looks—I’m                     not sure if people are weirded out by Asha’s dress, or by the fact I’ve dared to                     show my face here—but I don’t really think about it. Who cares? Let people                     stare.

                After a few songs I take a quick break to use the bathroom, and                     when I come out, I see Brendon by the water fountain. He smiles when he sees                     me.

                “Hey, Chelsea,” he says.

                “Hey,” I say, and grin at the surprised look on his face.

                “You’re speaking again,” he says. “When did this happen?”

                I shrug. “It’s a recent development.”

                “Uh-huh,” he says. “I saw you come in with Noah and Sam. Are                     you guys having a good time?”

                “More than I’d hoped for,” I tell him. I tilt my head at him.                     “Where’s Kristen?”

                “Around,” he says vaguely. He bites on his lower lip for a                     moment, like he’s considering what to say next. “You know, I almost thought                     about asking you, but—”