Page 110

Vienna scratches at the large bandage wrapped around her head, only stopping when I reach over to swat her hand away from it. "The same one from the park?"

My lips part, then shut again.

"And the hospital?" she adds, chin tilted down.

How much she always seems to notice things shouldn't still surprise me, but it does.

I almost answer, almost tell her something—anything—but my phone buzzes again.

"Hey." I nod toward the TV. "Movie."

V rolls her eyes but pushes play again anyway, and I swipe open a new message from Lenny.

Lenny

What are you doing after your visit?

Is it possible that a text can mirror a line drive?

That it can send adrenaline through your body—make every muscle tighten in the best possible way?

The reindeer guy's voice fills the room again as Vienna slurps at the ice cream soup she now has sitting in her bowl like nothing has changed.

But it feels like it might have.

Heading home. Are you staying in Mage?

My thumb taps against the side of my screen as the dots appear, seconds dragging like the song pouring from the speakers.

I reach over and grab the remote to turn the volume down so I can hear myself think, but Vienna instantly scrunches up her face and snags it back.

My phone vibrates again, and I feel it everywhere.

Lenny

No, I'm leaving now.

My thumb and forefinger find my lips and trace the edges of my mouth. Suddenly, I'm seventeen again and trying to decide if I make a move or stay hidden.

I blink, staring at her message and rereading the four words like they might make the choice for me. The song continues, but the lyrics become the words I'm reading.

Vienna sighs, the warm air loud in my ear—louder than it should be. It pulls me back to the moment, and I jump when I realize she's now so close her chin is practically resting on my shoulder.

I drop my phone in my lap. "What are you—" I start asking, but her hands fly up, cutting me off.

"Just invite her over already," she signs without taking her eyes off the captions.

My eyes flick back and forth from her face to my screen. "Were you reading my messages?"

"Were you chickening out?"

"V…" I shrug, gently nudging her off. I lean into the sign, my eyes wide. "Movie!"

She looks toward the ceiling then carefully slides back into her spot on the couch.

I pick up my phone, rereading the message one more time before looking at my little sister still engrossed in the song.

My thumb hovers over the screen.