Emmy & Oliver

by Robin Benway

“I’m really fucked up, in case that wasn’t clear.”

“Look, Mo,” my mom said to her. “Oliver is home now. That’s what’s important. He’s not going to talk to you, all right? He’s seventeen. Emmy’s seventeen and she never talks to me.” “It’s true,” I said. “I’m actually legally obligated to ignore her. The other teenagers and I made a pact. There were lawyers involved, it’s a whole thing now.”

“Let the healing bonds of friendship ease all of our wounds!” “Oh, shut up.” “That’s not very saintly language,” he pointed out, then kissed the top of my head and then released me with a shove. “Now get off me before Kevin thinks I’m straight.” “He’s homeschooled. He doesn’t even go to school here.” “Rumors, Emmy. They respect no boundaries.” Drew raised an eyebrow at me, then ducked into his history class.