Page 31 of Anyone But Her

"Why would you go out looking for girls? I thought you were seeing someone."

"Who? Mara?"

"Yeah. Mom told me about her. She said she's nice."

"She is, but it didn't work out. We broke up a few weeks ago."

"Oh. What about Luke?"

"What about him?"

"Isn't he dating someone?"

"He hasn't dated anyone for months. I'm started to think he took a vow of celibacy. That's why I'm making him go out with me. He needs to find someone, even if it's only for a night."

"You're trying to find him a one-night stand? Maybe he doesn't want that. Did you even ask him?"

"Uh, no. I'm pretty sure I don't have to. Sex with no commitment? Most guys are on board with that. "

I shake my head. "You're disgusting."

"Hey, I didn't say I'd do it. Luke probably wouldn't either. I was just making a comment. Don't take everything so seriously."

"Neither one of you should be having one-night stands. You'll get a disease."

"Thanks, Mom." He rolls his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Just get out of here." I wave him away.

He goes up to his room. When I hear his door shut I call Birdie, who doesn't have spring break until next week. "Hey, what are you doing?"

"Studying. Why? What's up?"

"Nothing. My parents are out and Cal's going out and I have nothing to do. I've only been home one day and I'm already bored."

"So go to a movie."

"By myself?"

"Sure. Why not?"

"I don't like going to movies by myself."

"So find someone to go with."

"Like who? Everyone we know is still at college. Why can't colleges make spring break the same for everyone?"

"Cal knows a ton of people. See if he can set you up with someone."

"Like a guy?"

"Uh...yeah. You need to get out there and date. You've hardly dated anyone since you got to college."

"I've been on dates," I say defensively.

"Yeah, like two."

"More like four, or maybe five, depending on how you define a date."