Fall at Once

by Nora Everly

“It’s okay. You didn’t embarrass me. I’m just perpetually embarrassed, and it’s not your fault.”

I am so sorry.” “You apologize a lot. You don’t need to, not to me.” “Well, I seem to feel sorry a lot.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Cole asked. “You look pale.” “I’m fine, I think.” My whole body was trembling, from my fingers to my toes, from a mixture of undiluted fear and pure adrenaline. I was not okay. My head spun, and my breathing was choppy; black spots danced before my eyes. “Oh, crap. I’m not fine. Nope.”

She was like fucking sunshine, and I was nothing but a grumpy, dark cloud.

no one would want to be around the crew if we’d all eaten chili. People would demand refunds for their tickets.

“Let’s go to my bedroom. I can’t do this with the cats watching us.”

Playing Barbie’s with you was like being stuck in the nineteen fifties.

“Hey.” Gigi was offended. “Just because you’re old doesn’t mean you don’t still need to get your freak on from time to time.” I stood there blinking, choosing not to process what she said.

“When you put it that way, I sound like a freakin’ psycho, mother.”