As I approached home, a shout from inside grabbed my attention. I paused at the front door and pressed an ear against it. I heard indistinct voices but nothing loud enough to understand. I sneaked through the garage, past Mom's burgundy Volvo, and around the pile of rakes and other yard implements that still looked new as the day Dad had bought them. The garage door didn't offer any better eavesdropping so I twisted the doorknob slowly and eased the door open into the kitchen. I peeked through the crack and caught a glimpse of my parents standing just inside the den.

"…won't happen to him," Dad said. "We would know for sure by now."

Mom sighed. "And I told you it doesn't matter. Everything depends on this. Everything. You need to keep it together or dear old Daddy Slade might—"

"Wait," Dad said, holding out a hand and sniffing the air. He motioned Mom further into the den and out of sight. "Do we need groceries for tonight?"

"Nope. Dinner is in the freezer."

"Not again."

"Yes, again."

A few seconds later, a door slammed shut. Something was seriously wrong with my parents. Arguments, microwaved dinners, and Dad sniffing the air like a coonhound. Maybe Aunt Petunia's death was screwing with their minds. And who was Daddy Slade? It sounded like the name of a trumpet player for a swing-dance band. I didn't know what to think. I entered the door, acting all casual and nonchalant.

"Hey, son," Dad said in a tone tinged with false enthusiasm. He reached into the fridge and grabbed a six-pack of beer.

"When did you start drinking?"

Dad popped open a beer bottle and took a swallow. He made a face. "I've always enjoyed a beer or two."

"Or six?" I asked, looking at the container in his hand.

"Justin, I know you don't like to tell us everything. I was the same way when I was your age."

"I think keeping secrets goes for people of all ages." I gave him a pointed look.

He chuckled. "What I'm getting at is—"

"Sorry, Dad, but I've got a study date with a girl tonight and I really need to get a move on."

Dad took another swig of beer and winked. "That's great." He looked as though he wanted to say something else but instead took his beer into the den and tuned into a reality show featuring a bunch of women screaming at each other.

I nuked a meal in the microwave and gussied myself up before heading over to Katie's.

"Hey Justin," she said, giving me a quick hug when I arrived.

I tried to say something witty but my brain failed me. "Hi." Where was all my bravado from last night? Apparently it was taking an extended vacation because we actually studied Calculus until nine. We didn't say a thing about Brad or our kiss. It was like it never happened. Or maybe I was supposed to man up and kiss her again. Why couldn't she just tell me what she wanted?

Katie walked me outside after we finished our homework. "Thanks for helping me out. Calculus is so hard, but I have to get better at it if I'm going to get into a good college."

I could hardly stand it. She was so unlike most of the hot girls I knew—or knew of, in any case. She seemed smart and yet she was going for smacktards like Brad. I tried to muster the courage to kiss her, but her hug came fast and her body language seemed to indicate a kiss was off the table.

Grow a pair and kiss her.

Yeah. It wasn't going to happen.

When I arrived at home, Dad was still up watching TV. A pile of empty beer bottles littered the coffee table. I went into my room and changed into cargo shorts and a T-shirt. The rest of the house was silent. "Where's Mom?"

Dad kept his eyes on the tube. "Girls' night out."

"Shouldn't you be doing a boys' night out then?"

"This is boys' night out," he said, motioning me over to the couch and thumbing the cap off another beer bottle. He handed it to me.

"Seriously? Won't Mom kick your butt for contributing to the delinquency of minors?"

"That's all life is, kiddo. When you've had enough contributions to your delinquency, then you're officially an adult."

"Deep stuff," I said and took a swig. Beer always tastes great for the first few sips then it tastes like carbonated toilet water. Of course this was one of those major father-son milestones and I wasn't about to spoil it for Dad or myself.

Dad turned the TV off and studied me for a moment. "I know we haven't talked about girls much, Justin, mainly because it's kind of uncomfortable talking to a parent about…some things. How are things with women overall? Anything strange ever happen?"

His question struck me as odd. "Strange like how?" I thought about the headaches, the blurry vision, and the way odors—especially Old Spice—seemed to attack my nose at random. That was strange, but I figured it had to do with growing pains and the popularity of Old Spice. I almost told him about those occurrences but stopped myself. He'd just tell Mom and then she would freak out and probably take me to the emergency room.

Dad examined me with narrowed eyes. What was he looking for? After a moment, a look of relief settled into his face and he shrugged. "Well, girls are tough business, so let me know if I can give you some tips."

I did not want him going all after-school special on me, so I took a long guzzle of beer. By the time I'd finished my second bottle, I had my first alcoholic buzz going. I felt warm, fuzzy, and happy, like I was drinking hot chocolate on a freezing cold day. I also felt very clever. Apparently alcohol increases charm and courage by at least ten points. I tapped out a text to Katie. Dad snatched my phone before I could send the masterpiece and put the phone out of my reach.

"Not a good idea," he said, chuckling. "You'll thank me in the morning."

"But everything is so clear. I have to tell her now."

"Yeah. Sure it is. That's your last beer, kiddo. Drink a lot of water if you don't want to feel like crap tomorrow."

I took his advice and drank water until I felt it might leak from my ears.

* * * * *

I woke up the next morning with only a mild hangover and a bursting bladder. My phone lay next to my computer. I looked at it and the text I had almost sent to Katie.

U R teh most beautiful perfect creature that will ever walk this Earth and I am ur king 4eva.

I grimaced and deleted the atrocity before my fat fingers accidentally sent the thing. Adults really do know what they're talking about sometimes. I thanked Dad under my breath for saving me from publicly castrating myself via sheer idiocy. I'm sure my message would have found its way to the Texts from Last Night website if Jenny or Annie had gotten hold of Katie's phone.

I looked at the clock and realized I'd never be ready in time for the school bus. I popped a couple of ibuprofen to quell the slight ache in my skull and got ready. I drove Dad's Jetta to school since he had one of those stay-at-home jobs and hated driving cars—he much preferred his ancient Indian motorcycle which I thought looked kind of dorky by current standards. As I looked for a parking spot I noticed a mass of students milling in the parking lot near the school entrance. Strange. Usually everyone went inside, especially considering the cold and the freezing wind. Gray clouds scudded across the sky. Rain puddles dotted the asphalt. It was not a good day to be outside. I figured the principal must be running a fire drill.

After heaving my backpack on my right shoulder, I made my way toward the chattering crowd and the doors to the school. My breath frosted in the cold morning air and my glasses fogged up a bit thanks to the knit cap I had shoved low onto my forehead. I stopped for a moment to take off my glasses and wipe them. As I stood there I noticed how quiet the crowd had become. I pushed my glasses back on and looked ahead. Dozens of eyes stared back. I looked behind me expecting to see the latest pre-pubescent pop star step out of a limo. Nope, nobody there.

My stomach writhed and scurried away to hide in my bowels. Something was seriously amiss this morning. Nathan. He waited for me. I just knew it. I almost backpedaled and made a run for my car but that would be postponing the inevitable. I had to think my way out of this. The crowd parted as I reached the edge. Familiar green eyes locked onto mine as I stepped into an arena in the middle of the mob. Katie stood a few feet from the glass doors leading into the school. Next to her stood a person that made my heart join my stomach in hiding.

Brad Nichols punched a leather-gloved fist into his palm and grinned.

Chapter 5

If there ever was a time for me to soil my underwear, it was now. Thankfully, that didn't happen. Brad approached, malice gleaming in his eyes.

Katie gripped his arm. "Stop, Brad. Please!"

He jerked his arm free and promptly ignored her. He looked me up and down. It didn't take long, considering I was at least a full head shorter. He wasn't nearly as tall as Nathan but that didn't matter. I waited for him to say something. Instead, he buried his fist in my stomach.

My backpack fell from my shoulder. I staggered back, gasping for breath and wheeling to the right. A low leafless hedge tripped me. My face planted in a puddle of muck. I jerked my head clear and took in a shuddering breath but got a mouthful of brown slime instead. Mud caked the left side of my glasses and dribbled down my cheek. Through the right side I saw Mark and Harry snorting with laughter next to a couple of other guys I didn't know. They caught my gaze and sobered, apologetic expressions on their faces. Rage flared in my chest. I pushed myself to my knees. I didn't care what happened. I was going to beat the crap out of Brad.

Before I could stand, however, Brad grabbed my jacket and hauled me backwards over the hedge. He snatched off my knit cap and tossed it away before shoving me on my back. Cold dampness seeped into the seat of my pants. He'd dropped me right into a freezing water puddle on the sidewalk. I tried to spring to my feet but my clumsy girth hampered me and made it a slow climb instead. I rolled onto my knees, soaking the front of my pants. My hands went numb with cold.

Katie had Brad by the arm again. He shoved her away and she hit her head on the door. Raw fury flowed into my veins. Do something, you fat idiot! Pain burst into my skull. It wasn't from Brad this time. It was my stupid migraines flaring up again. Brad's fist caught me in the cheek. My glasses flew off. My jaw ached but didn't hurt nearly as much as it should have. I roared. Brad howled with laughter. I probably looked like an infuriated chipmunk.