by Kaila Glass
Wow, Blake thought. He’s never called me his friend before.
Julio nodded his head at the stairs. “Let’s go to my room.”
Blake followed Julio up the stairs and entered a large bedroom with walls covered in posters of soccer players. Some kicked the ball past the goalie while others bounced it off their heads. The posters were written in what Blake recognized as Portuguese. Then, Blake’s eyes landed on the large glass case that sat next to Julio’s computer desk. Walking closer, Blake discovered that within it resided a snake.
“His name’s Monty,” Julio explained, setting his bag down on his bed. “He’s a ball python and he’s nocturnal, so you won’t get to see him outside his case until after dinner.”
Blake nodded. “Right.”
Julio pointed to the carpet. “You mind working on the floor?”
Blake shrugged. “That’s fine.”
They sat on the carpet and spread out their papers. Julio pointed to one. “Let’s start on this one first.”
“Sounds good.”
There was a knock on the door and Julio looked up. “Come in.”
A woman with long, dark curls walked inside, a tray of sliced fruit in hand. “I thought you two might like some snacks. It’s Blake, right? I’m Julio’s aunt. You can call me Ms. Cardoso.”
Julio stood up and took the tray. “Thanks.”
Ms. Cardoso ruffled Julio’s curls. “You’re welcome. Blake, did you need anything else?”
Blake shook his head. “No, thank you.”
“Study hard,” said Ms. Cardoso. She left.
“Your family’s really nice,” Blake commented, grabbing an apple slice from the tray and taking a bite.
“You sound surprised.”
“It’s just that, you’re usually so… mean.”
Julio shrugged, reaching for a sliced clementine. “That’s just who I am.”
They continued their work. It wasn’t until the sun had reached the horizon that Julio declared a break.
“Let’s go to the backyard,” he said, standing. “There’s something I wanna show you.”
They descended the stairs and entered the kitchen, where Ms. Cardoso stood chopping vegetables on the counter. “If you’re going outside,” she said over her shoulder, “bring your brother.”
“Manny!” Julio called.
Manny popped his head into the walkway. “Is it time to feed them again?” When Julio nodded, Manny walked into the kitchen, opened the fridge, and withdrew a bag of baby carrots. Blake and Julio followed Manny through the backdoor and out into the backyard, where the green grass swayed against the gentle breeze. They approached a large, wooden structure fenced off from the rest of the yard.
“What is this thing?” Blake asked when they entered through the gate.
“It’s where we keep Summer and Snow,” Manny explained as a rabbit with brown hair hopped down the ramp. Manny pointed. “See, that’s Summer.”
“And her name is Snow,” said Julio, pointing to a white hare that followed behind Summer.
Blake knelt to pet Snow, his pale hand brushing against her soft fur. He watched her nibble on the baby carrots that Julio offered in his outstretched hand. Manny had Summer in his hands, laughing as she sniffed him for food.
Then, Blake saw something strange, rare: Julio’s smile. Blake was so used to Julio’s usual frown that he hadn’t realized that his facial muscles were capable of smiling.
He must really be at peace here, Blake thought. How long has it been since I last saw Phoenix smile?
The heavy sadness on Blake’s shoulder ballooned; he hunched over and stared at the grass beneath his knees.
“Dinner’s ready!”
The three boys turned to see Ms. Cardoso in the open doorway. They scrambled to their feet, said goodbye to Snow and Summer, and headed inside, where they each took turns washing their hands in the kitchen sink.
At the table in the dining room, Blake listened to the Cardosos talk about their day. Manny, he learned, was in fifth grade at a different private school. He’d aced all his tests and made it to the end of the monkey bars at recess. Ms. Cardoso had endured a long day as the head of her law firm but was content that she’d finished all her paperwork ahead of schedule. Julio was happy to report that he was still the top student in his Portuguese class and that soccer practice had gone well.
It’s been forever since I’ve had dinner like this, Blake thought as the Cardosos laughed at a joke that Manny had told.
Yeah, your family’s basically dead, said his Inner Critic.
Blake hunched over his empty plate.
After dinner, he helped Julio clear the plates while Manny put away the leftovers. Then, they went back to Julio’s room, where they spent the next hour or so finishing their project.
“We’ll get an A for sure,” Julio said with a nod.
“Not gonna lie,” Blake found himself saying, “I thought tonight was gonna be a disaster.”
Julio looked taken aback. “Why?”
“‘Cause you hate me. I thought you’d pull some cruel prank on me by now, but you’ve been nice to me all day.”
“What makes you think I hate you?”
“Well, I helped Rodney get into Nerds, Inc. and you hate Rodney, so…”
Julio shrugged. “Yeah, I was mad, but only for, like, a day. You really think I’d hold a grudge for five months?”
“What about when you roasted me on the first day of school? Seemed like you were letting off some steam.”
“We were trying to distract Ms. Fulton, remember? Roasting is what I do best.”
“What about the time you tried to get me kicked out of Nerds, Inc.?”
“I just wanted you to ask out MacKenzie. It worked, didn’t it?”
“But you tease me all the time. You make fun of me more than anyone.”
“I make fun of everyone, not just you.”
Blake was silent for a moment while he let Julio’s words sink in. “Fair enough. So… friends?”
Julio rolled his eyes and shook his head. “We were friends the moment you knocked Izzy out of that tree, shit-for-brains.”
The two friends burst out laughing, gripping their sides.
When Julio calmed down, he pointed to his glass case. “Looks like Monty is awake. Wanna meet him?” He lifted the lid, reached inside, and pulled out Monty, his body twisted with black and green.
Blake reached out to feel his scaly skin. “Whoa.”
“Sometimes when I get stuck on my homework,” said Julio, “I like to wear him around my neck like a scarf. Works every time.”
“Can I wear him?”
“Sure.” Julio put the snake around Blake’s neck. Monty slithered, his thin, forked tongue slashing the air from his mouth.
Blake locked eyes with Julio. He’d never been more sure of anything in his entire life. “I have to tell you something. It’s something I haven’t told anyone. Promise me you won’t snitch.”
Julio nodded and drew an X over his heart with his finger. “Promise. So, what is it?”
“Back in Rosewood, my brother had a girlfriend named Keira. They were inseparable. Then she got pregnant, and in the second trimester, she said the baby wasn’t his. They broke up. After the baby was born, I got curious and went out to see her for myself. Julio… she lied. Her name is Luno.
“I went home. I was gonna tell him, but… he didn’t even wanna hear Keira’s name. I haven’t said anything since. I thought if I gave him some time to breathe, it would be easier to tell him, but it’s not. It’s impossible now. And my home life is a mess. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to tell him, and it kills me every day.”
There was silence between them. Monty slithered around Blake’s collar.
Julio stared. “And you’ve been carrying this around with you all this time?”
Blake nodded.
“I don’t blame you.”
Blake paused. “What, you don’t think I’m the worst brother ever?”
“N
ot in the least. I’ve seen way worse back in Rio.”
“Do you think I should tell?”
Julio shrugged. “How should I know? It’s up to you.”
Blake shook his head. “That’s way too much responsibility.”
“Well, that’s too bad. You’re the only one that knows the truth.”
Blake threw his head back. “Why does life have to be so hard?”
“’Cause otherwise, it wouldn’t be worth living.”
“Really?”
“Fuck if I know. It just sounds like something an adult would say.”
“Nothing makes sense,” Blake laughed mirthlessly.
“Life’s not supposed to make sense,” Julio answered. “At least, that’s what I tell myself. Gets me through the day. Now, have you ever played Xbox with a ball python wrapped around your shoulders?”
“No.”
“Today’s your lucky day.”
Blake felt the sadness on his shoulder shifting its weight.
21
Encore
Phoenix climbed the stairs in the stairwell, grasping the railing with his sweaty palms. When he exited at the third floor, he paused. His blonde angel was at her locker, switching her books for her next class. Every cell in his body screamed for him to talk to her, to tell her who he was, but for whatever reason, he didn’t move a muscle.
Hey, candy-ass! his Inner Critic called out. You’ve gone down on every girl at this school, but you’re nervous to talk to a girl you already know? Grow a pair!
Phoenix nodded. Right.
He willed his legs forward but stopped halfway.
What if she hates me? he thought. I lied to her like I did Fang and Robbie.
Oh, so you wanna be a ball-less candy-ass the rest of your life? his Inner Critic replied.
No.
Then go talk to her already!
Fair enough.
When Phoenix reached Luxe’s locker, he cleared his throat. She turned and smiled.
“Oh, hi Phoenix. What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you,” Phoenix answered in a low voice.
Luxe closed her locker. “Okay, what about?”
“I know you’re Brooke182.”
Luxe stared. “What?”
“I figured it out on Halloween when you said you were a ‘babbling brooke’.” Phoenix pointed to himself. “I’m Rowan1229.”
Silence. “It was you this whole time? Small world.”
Phoenix nodded. “We’ve got some serious catching up to do.”
“Wanna come by my place after school? I have to get to class soon.”
“Sure.”
“You sure you don’t have any, um…” Luxe shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
“I cleared my calendar just for today.”
“Good. Well, I’ll see you then… Rowan.”
A rare smile spread across Phoenix’s face. “See you later, Brooke.”
Who’s the candy-ass now? Phoenix thought as he watched her go.
You are, his Inner Critic answered, ‘cause you still haven’t hit.
* * *
Phoenix followed Luxe into Lexington Manor, their footsteps echoing off the marble flooring. It was different from how he remembered it on Halloween. It was so clean and free of drunk teens and servants, that it was as though there hadn’t been a party just last week at all.
“Hey, Arizona!”
Phoenix turned to see Luxe’s twin brother Luke enter the living room from around the corner.
“You here for an encore?” Luke laughed. “If you’re gonna smash my sister again, keep it down, okay? I got homework to do.”
“God, Luke, it’s not like that!” Luxe exclaimed, her face red.
Luke raised his hands in defense, grinning. “Can you blame me? I mean, he’s the one paying half the school to fuck him and you’re the goddamn Lexington Express. I wouldn’t be surprised if you two were about to film a porno.”
Luxe curled her hands into fists at her side. “I’m a virgin and you know it.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “Sure, whatever you say, Sis.”
“I’m not here to have sex with your sister, okay?” Phoenix said. “We’re friends. I came over to hang out, that’s all.”
Luke waved a dismissive hand and began to ascend the grand staircase. “Do what you want, Arizona, I don’t care. Just don’t knock her up, okay? She’s pro-life, so I don’t wanna have to resort to pushing her down these stairs. Can’t let her soil the family name any more than she already has, right?” He reached the top of the stairs and entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him.
Luxe sighed. “I’m sorry he’s such a royal pain.”
Phoenix shrugged. “I’m used to it.”
Luxe tossed down her bag in an armchair and turned to her guest. “I’ll be right back.” She left the room and reappeared moments later with a six pack in one hand and a bottle-opener in the other. “We’re gonna need this,” she said, setting them down on the coffee table. “I can tell by the look on your face.” She cracked open a bottle and leaned back on the sofa, legs crossed. After taking a small sip, she said, “It’s okay. My parents don’t care.”
Phoenix hesitated. “It’s just that, I used to drink a lot in Rosewood, got into a lot of fights. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Luxe held up her bottle. “You have a ton of baggage. This will help unload it, promise.”
Candy-ass, his Inner Critic teased.
“Whatever.” He took the bottle opener from Luxe, grabbed a beer and plopped next to her on the couch. He downed half his bottle in one gulp. “Every time I see your brother’s face, I wanna smash his head in.”
“I don’t blame you,” Luxe replied, taking another swig from her bottle. “The only reason he’s so popular is because he buys all his friends.” She gestured to the room with a sweep of her hand. “If we didn’t have all this, he wouldn’t have anyone.”
Phoenix shook his head. “It’s not just that. He reminds me too much of Randy.” He downed the rest of his drink and placed the bottle on the coffee table before reaching for another. “Blond, arrogant, rich, spoiled little shit.”
Luxe raised her glass. “Yep, that’s my brother.”
“How do you live with him?”
Luxe shrugged. “One day at a time, I guess.”
Phoenix chugged his second beer and wiped his face with the back of his hand. “That’s how I lived in Rosewood. Sometimes, hour to hour, or minute to minute, depending on the day. Randy didn’t make it any easier.”
“Good thing you’re not there anymore.”
“Aren’t I? I’m still doing the same things I did before.”
Luxe placed her hand on his broad shoulder. “You can always change.”
He looked at her. “People don’t change.”
Luxe fetched another case of beers when they’d finished the first. The hours passed in minutes, and before long, the sun, which had been high in the sky when they’d arrived, vanished.
Phoenix set down his empty bottle to join the countless others that crowded the coffee table before staggering to his feet.
“Where are you going?” Luxe asked, her cheeks flushed.
“I gotta get home,” he hiccupped. “I already missed dinner. My parents are gonna be pissed.”
“Let me get you a ride. I’ll have my butler take you home.”
Next thing Phoenix knew, he was riding in the backseat of Luxe’s Bentley, a wrinkled butler at the wheel. He heard crickets as he staggered up the stone walkway of his home and fumbled with the keys at the door. His parents, who sat waiting for him in the living room, stood when he opened the door.
“Where have you been?” his mother asked at once. “We’ve been worried sick!”
His father walked up to him and sniffed. “You’ve been drinking?”
“You surprised?” said Phoenix, glaring at his father and swaying on the spot. “Like father, like son.”
“Excuse me?”
“
Don’t think I haven’t noticed,” Phoenix scoffed. “Every morning, you slip Jack in your coffee. Figured you couldn’t function without it, so I kept my mouth shut. But don’t worry. It’s only natural that an Irishman would like his coffee Irish, too.”
His father pursed his lips.
“This isn’t like you,” said his mother. “Why were you drinking?”
“Why were you cheating on Dad?”
“I never cheated on your father!” she declared. “Why are you always accusing me?”
Phoenix put his finger to his chin and looked up at the ceiling. “Oh, I don’t know, maybe ‘cause you were out every night for months. Then, outta nowhere, you’re pregnant. Excuse me for not buying your bullshit.”
His mother looked at him as though for the first time. “How dare you?”
“Don’t worry, Mom, you’re not the only whore. Like mother, like son, right?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? All those rumors back in Rosewood, about me being paid to fuck? They were all true! Isn’t that great?”
His mother’s face fell. “Phoenix…”
Phoenix pointed at his parents. “And this whole time you thought I was giving piano lessons.” He shook his head. “I was going down on the whole damn town. You really think kids my age wanna learn piano? Get real.”
The pain that he saw in his parents’ expressions encouraged him to push forward. “Oh, and you’re gonna love this one: I’m still whoring. Aren’t you proud? Well, don’t just stand there gaping at me. Give your son a pat on the back. You raised him well.”
“You’re drunk, Phoenix,” said his father. “You need to lie down.”
His mother reached out to grab his arm. “Here, love, I’ll help you.”
Phoenix jerked his arm back. “Leave me alone, Keira!”
They stared at one another. Phoenix saw confusion in his mother’s eyes that matched his own.
“I don’t need any help,” he mumbled before climbing the stairs. He entered his room and lied down on his bed, his head swimming.
Where am I? he wondered, staring up at the ceiling. Rosewood?
There was a knock on the door. Without waiting for a response, his mother entered with a pitcher of water and a glass. She set them down on his night stand and motioned for him to sit up. He obeyed.