Page 137 of I Can't Even Think Straight

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I let out a sigh and lean back into the sofa.

I never thought I’d feel such sweet relief

from spilling the tea to Obi, of all people.

Obi rises from the floor

and sits beside me.

He nuzzles into my shoulder.

He smells of lavender.

I breathe him in deeply.

A breath of fresh air.

For the first time since I got here,

I feel calm. I feel cozy.

“Thank you for sharing that,”

Obi says, his voice full of breath.

He nuzzles into my shoulder

for a moment longer, before

he sits up and speaks quietly:

“I agree with everything you said.

The Coven’s into all this

but, just between me and you,

I couldn’t care less about any of it.

Hugo goes along with it

because he’s Jenny’s boyfriend.

Jenny’s my best bud, but

The Coven is her thing, not mine.

They bring their booze, tarot cards,

candles, and stuff for their spells.

My house became their covenstead

because the ’rents are rarely here.

Other than Jenny, my only friends

are my big brother and our band.

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