Page 59 of When You Had Me Adapting

Jace and my eyes lock across the table. I hear Poppy let out a little squeak of excitement.

“Native to Mexico, this bird, known for its small size and unusual color, was recently rediscovered in Brazil by a group of scientists and dedicated wildlife photographers.”

“The Bix,” Jace and I say at the exact same time.

“You know?” he asks.

“Know what?” Gray says. The rest of the table is staring at the two of us.

“I might have googled you,” I admit. My cheeks heat.

“What did you say?” Chris asks.

“Holy fucking shit,” Tanner says as a large smile spreads across his face.

“Wait, do you know what it is?” Wren asks.

“Can someone please give me the answer? The other team looks like they have an answer,” Poppy says, frantically.

“You want to do the honors?” Jace asks. I grab the piece of paper from Poppy and jot down “Bixito Parrot.” Standing quickly, I turn to head toward where Leonard sits. Out of the corner of my eye I see a flash of pink. I turn my head and see a brunette wearing a pink dress heading toward the bar. We both make it to the front at the same time. Leonard laughs as we both slam our answer sheets onto the small table.

“Congratulations to our winners, Dink and Balls!”

Cheers erupt from our table as I flip around and I let out a loud scream. The brunette scoffs.We did it. We won the cabin. I skip back toward my friends and straight into the arms of Jace. He wraps me up tight and spins me around. I let my arms wrap around his neck and his woodsy scent takes over my senses. My arms erupt with goosebumps and for a split second I forget where I am.

I hear someone clear their throat and when I look over Jace’s shoulder, my eyes find Chris. Jace sets me down and I straighten out my clothes unsure of what just happened. Making my way around the table, I pull Chris into a hug.

“So how did you two know the answer?” he asks, pulling away.

“Um, well, Jace was part of the team who found it last year.”

Chris’s eyes widen and Jace shrugs.

“Wait, what? I had no idea you actually found it,” Poppy says, moving towards Jace and wrapping her arms around him. “And to think how obsessed you and Lacey were when we were younger and then you grew up and actually found it,” Poppy giggles.

“Y’all have all known each other a really long time?” Chris questions.

“Yeah. Pixie and I have known each other since we were in diapers,” Jace explains.

“Pixie?” Chris’s face contorts at the sound of the nickname and my cheeks heat.

CHAPTER 27: BULLIES, BOOKS, AND BIG NEWS

JACE - TWENTY YEARS AGO

“Nerd alert! Nerd alert!” Alex yells from the top of the tall red tower on the playground. I hang my head and look at the ground trying to ignore them like my parents told me to, but it’s hard.

A loud thud comes from inside the yellow tube slide and Beau appears in the opening followed by Alex.

“Hey, science dork, cool shirt,” Beau says, shoving my shoulder and causing the book I’m holding to fall onto the ground. I quickly pick it up. My eyes look down at the T-shirt I’m wearing. It’s blue and has a picture of a large red macaw with the words “Feelin’ Macawsome.” My mom bought it for me and I thought it was cool until now.

I move toward the swing set and take a deep breath. I should be able to stand up to them. I’m a year older than they are, but I’m small for my age and they’re big for theirs.

“Hey guys,” I try, but it’s more of a squeak.

“Hey guys,” Alex repeats in a high-pitched voice.

Since August, Beau and Alex have made fun of me every day at recess, and I’m so sick of it. I’m not into sports like they are, and they think they can make fun of me because of it.

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