Blackbird (a Sometimes Never novella) Read Free Page A

for you to go to therapy yesterday. I know it was hard, but you did it.”
          Yes, but you have no clue what I did after .
          “Are we having cake and ice cream or not?” Dylan skulks into the kitchen and I release a relieved breath.
          “Working on it, Dill Weed,” I say. “Grab some plates.” He scowls at the nick name, but does as instructed and follows me back to the dining room.
          As we stuff ourselves with sugar, I open my presents, and then there’s nothing left but to tell everyone my plans. I shoot Mason a nervous glance and he squeezes my hand under the table.
          I sit forward and clear my throat as I twirl my fork through pink frosting. “So, I need to tell you guys something,” I begin.
          “Are you pregnant?” Alec asks, his voice strained.
          “What? No.” I shake my head emphatically.
          “Oh, thank God.” He shrugs at Jenny when she cocks a brow at him.
          Guy’s watching me and I know he’s going to be mad I didn’t tell him ahead of time. I’m not really sure why I didn’t. Maybe because I know how much I’m going to miss him even though I’ll only be ten minutes away.
          “I’m moving in with Mason,” I state.
          “Oh,” Jenny replies softly.
          “Sweet,” Annie says. “I get my room back.”
          “ What? ” Guy hisses. He glares at Mason.
          “Wait,” Alec says. He puts his hands up, palms out like he’s stopping traffic.
          “You can’t live with a boy unless you’re married,” Addie speaks up.
          “She lives with me and Guy and we’re boys,” Dylan says to Addie. She puckers her brows and shrugs.
          Too many people are talking at once. The only ones who are quiet are the twins as they paint their highchairs with icing, and me and Mason. He locks his fingers with mine and I smile at him.
          “You can’t move in with him,” Misty says. “You’re still in high school.”
          “Yeah, what about school?” Alec asks. He crosses his arms over his chest and narrows his eyes. “You can’t drop out.”
          “You’re dropping out of school?” Misty shouts.
          “What? No,” I say. I shake my head and drop the fork. “I’m still going to go to school.”
          “I can’t believe you didn’t talk to me about this,” Guy spits. He pushes his chair back and stands up.
          “Sit down, Guy,” Jenny says firmly. He just looks at her and she points at his seat. He sinks down and mirrors his dad, crossing his arms.
          Jenny closes her eyes for a moment and takes a deep breath. When she opens them, she looks right at me. “You’ll stay in school?”
          I nod.
          “And you’ll continue therapy?”
          Crap .
          “I’ll make sure she doesn’t miss a session,” Mason announces. “I know how important it is.”
          Jenny smiles weakly at him. “I know you do.” She turns to Alec and brushes her fingers over his forearm. “I think this will be okay.” She shifts back to me. “And if it’s not, you can come back. Anytime. But if we find out—” Her eyes dart around the table. “If you skip out on therapy I’ll drag you back here by your hair.”
          Guy shoves away from the table. “Awesome,” he says, his voice thick with the sarcasm. I watch him as he walks away. 
          Mason nudges me and nods his head toward the doorway Guy just went through. I nod and stand up. I throw Jenny and Alec a reassuring smile. “Thanks. You guys are the best.”
          “Mm,” Alec grunts.
          I leave poor Mason to deal with him and chase after my best friend.
          
          
    ~*~*~*~
          
          
          I don’t bother to knock. I push Guy’s door open and step inside his room. He picks up his acoustic guitar and heaves himself onto his bed.
          “This will make me happy,” I whisper.
          He presses his lips