The Odds of Lightning Read Free

wasn’t his fault that Jon Heller, standing over his shoulder while Will typed, pushed post and made the most epic status update ever official.
    By the time Nathaniel got there, the guys were already in the den playing Golf on the Playstation, drinking Will’s dad’s Bud Lights, and texting the girls to come over.
    â€œSATs!” they shouted every time they swung.
    Nathaniel stood in the doorway and looked from the TV to the guys to Will.
    Will didn’t want to be taken on a guilt trip.
    â€œDude.” He smiled, knowing Nathaniel wouldn’t argue. “Early study break?”
    Â Â *  *  *  
    There were so many things Nathaniel should have been doing instead. He should have been studying. He should have been sleeping. He should have been relaxing and letting his brain rest the night before the biggest test of his life, as his parents had advised him to do. The voice in his head was telling him to go home. But he couldn’t go home. Now that he was no longer working toward the Anders Almquist Earth Science Scholarship, Nathaniel didn’t know where he was supposed to go anymore.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    The first flash of lightning lit up the sky outside Tiny’s window. Her mind filled with images she couldn’t control and couldn’t stop: the churning black water of the East River, the shimmer of heat lightning above the skyline, the sound of crunching metal and shattering glass.
    The memory of her first kiss and everything that came after.
    All she wanted was to forget. But lightning would always make her remember.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    Come over if you dare. Lu picked up her cell phone and speed-dialed Tiny’s number. Whatever—there was no one home to stop her.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    Will took the six-pack and cracked open a beer. He tossed one across the room to Nathaniel.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    Nathaniel looked at the blue can in his hand and then back at Will. He thought about the books in his backpack on the floor by the foot of the stairs.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    Tiny’s phone rang in the bedroom. Without another thought, she pulled the curtain closed and went to get it.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    It’s not like my mom would even notice if I tanked, Lu thought.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    â€œHere’s to tonight!” Will boomed, raising his can. “Carpe fucking diem!”
    Â Â *  *  *  
    â€œHere, here!” Nathaniel heard himself shout.
    Â Â *  *  *  
    There comes a time in your life, Tiny realized as she answered the phone, when you just have to say—
    Â Â *  *  *  
    At a certain point, Lu thought as she heard Tiny pick up—
    Â Â *  *  *  
    â€œBecause sometimes,” Will said to the group, “everyone knows you gotta just—”
    Â Â *  *  *  
    â€œWhat the hell?” Nathaniel said, taking a sip.
    â€œFuck it.”

THEN

THE LAST DAY OF SUMMER BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL
THREE YEARS AGO
8:00 A.M.
CUMULONIMBUS CLOUDS

Tiny
    There were some things you just couldn’t put into words.
    â€œTell me again how you got your nickname,” Luella said through a mouthful of Lego candy.
    It was the last day of summer, and Tiny and Luella were sitting outside the Guggenheim Museum, contemplating their futures. They wore shorts and flip-flops and tank tops, and still felt overdressed. It was the hottest day of the year by far, and the entire city was engulfed in a sticky, thick, edible humidity. The heat was a tangible, visible, moving thing, rising up off the sidewalk as if it were alive.
    Tiny just hoped they could get everything on their Last Day of Summer Itinerary done before the skies opened up on them. It was eight in the morning. They had the whole day in front of them, and there was a lot they