Page 66 of We Are the Stars

Finally, she says, “Magic.”

She rolls off me and heads to my adjoining bathroom. She takes her time in there doing whatever it is she’s doing while I grab an old t-shirt and a new pair of shorts. Then we swap places so I can change and clean myself up.

I find her jumping on my bed when I come back out. She’s laughing and smiling like a little kid, and her ability to be so carefree almost makes me jealous.

“You’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Am not,” she says, nearly out of breath.

“Are too. Get down. I’m starving.”

She holds her hands out. “Jump with me.”

“No.”

“Don’t be cranky. I just got you off. You can’t be cranky. There’s a rule about that or something.”

“There is not.”

“There should be.” She sticks her tongue out. “Pleeeeease.”

I roll my eyes and sigh. “Fine. Move over.”

I climb up on the bed and lightly jump around.

“You’re doing it wrong,” she yells.

“How can you jump the wrong way?”

“You’re doing it too lightly. Do ithard.”

I snicker. “That’s what she said.”

“Jump harder!”

I listen, jumping up and down as hard as I can. Before I know it, I’m laughing and smiling along with her. There’s this feeling of giddiness that spreads through me, taking me back to when I was younger and didn’t have a care in the world. I miss that.

“See? It’s fun!” she shouts.

There’s another loud knock on the door and I hear Nate yell, “Are you two having sex again? Breakfast is getting cold. Wrap it up.”

“We’re jumping!” she hollers back.

“Yes, I know you’re humping, but hurry up!”

We laugh harder.

And for a little bit, I feel normal. I feel carefree.

I feel happy.

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