As Mom, Mrs. Watters and Mr. Watters loaded their rental car with luggage, I stood on the sidelines, holding Mrs. Watters' oversized purse. Phil stood by my side, a stupid look on his face, as he obviously attempted to figure out how to phrase a question.

"Jack?" he asked.

"What?" I replied. I tried to ignore the condom that was sticking out of her purse — she didn't even try to hide it. Damn Europeans.

"Do y'think I could ask Mom about a...loan...when we're in the car?"

"Jesus, Phil," I said. "Mom never gives you money and will never give you money."

"She wouldn't be giving it to me, it'd be a loan."

"Oh, a loan, in that case." I rolled my eyes. "She's still gonna turn you down. Why don't you just mow a lawn or something?"

"Because there's no time," Phil said, as I rolled my eyes yet again. "My boys are going out tonight to TP Mr. Walrus-Nard's house, and—"

"Wait," Rae said walking up beside us, "'Mr. Walrus-Nard'?"

"Yeah, our geometry teacher, he looks and acts like a walrus testicle," Phil explained. "Tonight at 10:00 we're gonna cover his house with toilet paper and then run away."

"Classy, Phil," I said.

"I'm in," Rae said, sidling up next to us. "That sounds like fun, I'd love to join — if I can."

"Fuck yeah, you can come!" Phil said, ever the eloquent chap. "Everybody's gonna get a large pack o' TP and meet at the gonad's crib."

"I'll be there," she said. "Are you going, Jack?"

"..........................yes?" I said finally, after consulting with the voices in my head.

No. No fucking way! You know that Phil's friends are idiots, and mom won't ever give him money, and what if she finds out that you were there?! She'll kill you! You're already a handful without being a second Phil!

But... but Rae's gonna be there..

Who cares?! You didn't even know her name until your mom told you three. days. ago. And so what? if everyone else is jumping off a cliff, would you jump too?

Well, I don't know—

The answer is no. I wouldn't let you because it's a stupid idea — just like this. I mean, you were making fun of it until Rae said she was going. What, do you—

I like her. Like like.

"..........................yes?"

"Awesome," Rae said. "I'll see you guys tonight, I guess."

"I dunno," Phil said, "I think mom is going to ask you if you want to ride with us in our car."

"Raegan," my mom said, as if on cue. "Sweetie, do you want to ride with us in the fun car?" She did a little dance as she said this, and my brother and I cringed hard.

"I would love to, Ms. Burdock," Rae said. I tucked my hair behind my ear and texted Charlie.

Me: Charlie, my place one hour

Charlie: Be there. Code?

Me: Code violet

Charlie: Twix or mars

Me: Bitch you know both!!!

Charlie: C u soon

Once we had commenced our trip home, a forty-five minute drive, the car was mostly silent. The road, occasional and warranted honks from other cars, Phil trying to hold in his burps were among the only sounds to grace our ears. Rae looked at Phil and poked him on the shoulder. He mouthed a yelp and shrugged. Rae gestured to our mother, reminding him to get the money we needed for the vandalism-crime-mischief-atrocity we were planning to commit that night. He nodded his head in recognition, then proceeded to turn around to me and jab on the forehead. I slapped his hand and continued to start a silent argument — one that I lost.

"Mom," I said. "Phil has to tell you something."

I never lose.

"Thank you, Jack," he said, glaring at me. "Mom, I was wondering if I could barrow some money?"

"Phillip, I have told you time and time again that I will not buy you a scooter, a gun, an indoor pool, a—"

"No, Mom, none of that — you see..." Phil stuttered, it seemed he would resort to telling the truth, luckily, Rae cut in.

"There is an antique book sale tonight, and we planned to go together. All we would need is..."

"Twenty?" Phil said.

"Each," I said.

"Twenty dollars each. I hope that's not to much to ask." Rae poured on the charm.

"Sure," my mom said, "of course. Take it out of my purse." Phil did so, and we exchanged triumphant and wicked looks. Rae fist bumped Phil and then held out her hand for me. I bumped it and pondered this new emotion I had yet to feel.

Love.

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Hi Hi People! What do you think? Comment, vote, message me and we can gab like '50s ladies at a hair salon. Kitschy sign off! - Alice