Page 175 of Through My Window
“No, I think it’s an excellent idea,” he says to Joshua, and Apolo nods in support. “Yeah, this is probably the last time we’ll all be together like this.”
While Dani, Joshua, and I will be attending the same college, I can’t say the same for the others, including Ares. It hurts so much every time I think about it that I’ve pushed it to the back of my head. It’s as if refusing to think about it makes it less real.
Joshua raises his hands in the air.
“To the beach, everybody!”
I can’t help but smile. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I’m so happy to see him happy, especially after everything that happened to him. I was thrilled when I found out that he was going to attend UNC with me. I want to be close to him, not only because I want to take care of him, but because I want to be there if at some point he relapses or feels lonely. Depression isn’t something that can be cured overnight. It takes time, and there may be situations that could lead to a relapse, and if that happens, I want to be there for him.
Samy narrows her eyes, looking behind me.
“Is that Gregory?”
I turn around. Sure enough, Gregory is walking toward us with a bottle of what looks like Jack Daniel’s in his hand. But what . . . ?
“Finally, I’ve found you guys!” he shouts, approaching us. He told us he would catch up with us, but that was about an hour ago, and when he didn’t show up, we assumed he wasn’t coming.
“How the fuck did you get here?” Marco asks, laughing. Gregory shakes his phone.
“Uber.”
Marco pats him on the back. “You’re like a damn cockroach. It’s so hard to get rid of you.”
Gregory acts offended. “A cockroach? Really?”
“Haven’t you heard that cockroaches would survive radiation from a nuclear blast?” Samy intervenes. “It’s a compliment to your endurance.”
Marco smiles at her, looking pleased, but says nothing. I have noticed that, although he is not very expressive and affectionate with her, his look says it all. I find it sweet when a cold boy falls in love.
“I don’t care,” Gregory shrugs. “At least I got here, and I think I heard someone saybeach. Count me in.”
Joshua looks at Ares, Apolo, Gregory, and Marco, and mutters: “Wow, you guys are incredibly handsome.”
We all laugh, and Gregory winks.
“Single at your command.”
Joshua gives him a tired look. “No, I mean you guys are the first male friends I’ve ever had, and you’re too good-looking; this isn’t going to work.”
“You’re breaking up with me,” Gregory says, pretending to run out of air. “And we haven’t even started?”
Joshua ignores him. “I mean, if I go out with you, I won’t get girls.”
I turn my gaze to him and grab his cheeks.
“You’re handsome, too, Yoshi.”
I can feel Ares’s heavy gaze on me, and I slowly lower my hands.
Marco grimaces. “Yoshi? Like the turtle in Mario Kart?”
Apolo laughs a little, but I give them a stern look.
“It’s not a turtle. It’s a dinosaur.”
Gregory grabs the bridge of his nose. “Can we focus on going to the beach?”
Samy nods. “The cockroach is right, it’s a two-hour drive, so let’s go.”
