21

THERE’S A SMALL CROWD OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL gym when Mom and I pull up. I take out my phone. No text from Ashley or Jasper.

Mom laughs. “Are you going in or what?”

I nod.

“If Jerry can’t drop you off, text me when you’re ready, and I’ll sneak away and come pick you up. Okay?”

As I get out, Mom lowers her window to wave and yell, “Don’t forget about that picture.”

I wave to Mom and walk past two Jedi and a Miles Morales Spider-Man. There are definitely no other kids wearing a pinafore—at least I’ve succeeded in being original.

Halloween might be my favorite holiday. Dress up and candy? I can’t believe Ashley thought about not wearing a costume. But then I see Gwynn Lester in a regular dress and heels. I walk toward the door trying to convince myself that she’s the one who looks ridiculous, but my costume is suddenly uncomfortably warm.

I scan the room. Someone with long blue hair that flows past her waist and a purple star painted over one eye crosses the floor. I can’t believe it’s Ashley until she’s standing right in front of me.

“Oh my gosh. I’m so sorry. Dad said he would call your mom and tell her we changed the plan and that you should just wear that other costume you told me about. I left my phone at Mom’s house, and he made this big point of making me spend a day without it.” She looks back across the gym, and I see a flash of pink hair—Farrah. “Farrah came back early.”

“Why didn’t you use your dad’s phone to call?” I mean to ask, but it comes out more like shouting.

“Your number is stored in my phone. I don’t have it memorized.” Ashley is looking right at me. “I said I was sorry.” Her eyes don’t say sorry. They say just get over it and don’t embarrass me. Again.

I point over at Farrah. “You had my mom’s number! You couldn’t call me, but you worked all this out with her?” Ashley has that red splotchy look again. Now I’m definitely yelling, and Mr. Thatcher, our gym teacher, starts walking over. “Why don’t you just come out and say it. You only asked me to do something with you because Farrah wasn’t around and you’re afraid of being alone. You don’t want to be friends anymore, and you’re too much of a coward to tell me. Maybe you’re just hoping that if you treat me like garbage long enough, I’ll figure it out. Well, guess what? I understand!” I tear the hat off my head. “Also, Anne Shirley is ridiculous and vain for most of the first book!”

I feel a hand on my arm. “Hey, you came! I didn’t know if you’d show up or not.” It’s Jasper. He’s wearing a black hoodie over an orange T-shirt with jeans and black Converse high tops. “Come on. Let’s go.” He gently pulls me toward a group of kids gathered around the snack table.

“I think I just want to go home,” I mumble. Actually, I really want to throw my hat and pinafore in the trash and run all the way back to Grampa’s house.

“Don’t leave unless you want to. But definitely pretend to have a good time for a little bit before you go.” Jasper checks his phone. “My mom is leaving for the show at Whispering Pines soon. Want to just catch a ride with her?”

I nod. “Let me make sure it’s okay with my mom.” I text and get the thumbs-up emoji. Then I spend the longest ten minutes ever meeting all of Jasper and McKenna’s friends from science club. McKenna is wearing a lab coat and a gray mustache, and has her hair sprayed silver and standing on end.

I smile when I see her. “Einstein?”

She nods. Her hair doesn’t even wobble. “But I think this amount of hair spray is affecting my vision and sense of smell.”

McKenna and Jasper laugh, and I’m surprised when I do too. But then Ashley joins David Verdon on the dance floor. They’re not really dancing. He’s doing some wave motion with his arms, and Ashley is sort of swaying and laughing even though it isn’t funny.

Jasper nudges me. “Mom’s outside. Ready?”

I nod, and when we walk out, I don’t look back.

The inside of Jasper’s van isn’t like our car. The back-seat pockets are bulging with clipboards and art supplies and books. This ride would give Mom hives.

“Excuse the mess,” Amanda says as we climb in the back. Jasper sits with me even though the front is empty.

I shrug out of the pinafore and toss the hat on the seat.

“So, Anne of Green Gables, huh?” Jasper asks.

I cross my arms. “I don’t really want to talk about it. Besides, you didn’t even wear a costume.”

Jasper grabs his chest like he’s offended. “Excuse me.” I notice his shirt has a silhouette of Medusa, the Camp Half-Blood insignia. He pulls out a ballpoint pen and clicks it, and I finally get it.

“Ah, you’re Percy Jackson!”

“Bingo,” Jasper says. He shakes his head. “I had no idea you were an Anne of Green Gables fan.”

“Actually, I’m supposed to be Diana Barry.” Not that this explanation makes it any better.

Jasper’s brow crinkles. “Who?”

“I think you look nice,” Amanda interrupts and sends Jasper a look in the rearview mirror. “We’re in for a treat tonight. I saw the rehearsal today and the residents are so excited.” Her eyes flick to me in the mirror again. “Your grampa is a great guy, and your mom is a real character too. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know them both.” Amanda gives me a big smile exactly like Jasper’s.

I make an effort to return the smile. “Can I ask you a question about therapy?”

Amanda nods.

“How much does it cost once Grampa isn’t in Whispering Pines?”

“Well, it depends. Your grampa will need occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy for a while. Right now, he has OT, PT, and Speech once a week.”

“And how much does a session cost?” I ask.

“Well, different places charge slightly different amounts, but most sessions run thirty to forty-five minutes. The cost can vary from around one to several hundred dollars. Insurance coverage varies also.”

I only understand about half of what she’s said. But one thing’s for sure, it sounds like a lot of money.

“Have you talked to your mom about all this? She’d have a better idea of what your grampa’s situation looks like.”

I nod, though it isn’t really true. Then I stare out the window until I feel a slight pressure on my wrist. It’s Jasper, and he gives my hand a little squeeze before letting go.