“Hey, Kimia,” I was back in math, and Zack was flirting again.  “Shh. I’m concentrating,” I told him without looking up. He chuckled. “Why is it so sad that parallel lines have so much in common?” I rolled my eyes. “Because they’ll never meet. Now, shush!” A few minutes later, he poked me with his eraser, “Are you going to Nate’s party Friday?” I shrugged. I hadn’t thought about going. Nate had backed off a bit since kissing me, if you could call that a kiss. It was just a light brush of the lips. By my standards, that doesn’t count. At least it should count. I pu

“So, vodka and wine? I’m assuming I’m having juice or water?” I asked Mrs. Mactire.   She chuckled, and poured the vodka into the shot glasses. “Drink. It helps to loosen the tongue when discussing topics that are difficult to think about.” She pushed one of the shot glasses toward me.   “I don’t drink,” I said, pushing it back to her. “Thank you anyway, Mrs. Mactire.”   “Call me Mary. After the story I’m going to tell you, we’re going to be on a first name basis.” She drank her shot of the liquor. “Drink. You’ll need it.”   I eyed the small glass dubiously. There wasn’t much of the clear liquid, but I knew that the one time I had alcohol I’d ended up passed out on a bed. I shook my head.  

“So, Kimia, have you changed your mind about Nate’s party tonight?” Zack asked me during Pre-Calculus.    I smiled. “Not a chance. I’m looking forward to having the house to myself and watching Netflix until the bunnies come home.”   Zack looked confused, and it was kind of cute. “Bunnies?”   “My brother and his girlfriend. They’re going to the party, and they take almost every advantage to get some privacy.”   He laughed at that. “I don’t have that problem. I’m an only child, and don’t have a girlfriend, yet.” He gave me a meaningful look, and I could feel my cheeks getting warm.   “Well,” I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear, “that just sounds lone

I woke up to the smell of bacon and coffee, and immediately wanted to go back to sleep. My head was pounding, and my mouth was dry. I looked over at who was in bed with me, and I was relieved to see Rose and Kam. I looked around the room, and realized it wasn’t mine. It was Mary’s.   The previous night came back to me in full force. Now I really wanted to go back to sleep. I can’t believe I got drunk and sang karaoke. In front of the choir geeks. Their poor ears! Still, I couldn’t stay in someone else’s bed forever, and I know from experience how good Nate’s hangover breakfast tastes. I sighed, and gently got out of the bed, not waking Rose and Kam.   “Good morning, Beyonce,” Nate said when I came into the kitchen. Jimmy and Saoirse were also up and moving around the house with some cleaning supplies.  

“Hey, Kimia,” Zack tried to talk to me during Math. I studiously ignored him. He poked me with the eraser of his pencil. “Please, look at me. I don’t want your goons to attack me again.”  That got my attention. I looked at him confused. “I don’t have goons,” I whispered. “Stop talking to me.” I tried to concentrate on the assignment. Zack wouldn’t let up. “Come on, I need to apologize or Nate will kill me.” Nate. Of course. I sighed. “Fine, apologize.” “I’m sorry I said anything about the video on Friday. Do you forgive me?” He didn’t even look at me. The bastard wasn’t sorry he thought I was