Page 14 of The Two of Us

I nod toward Old Maple. “Let’s go up.”

We’re climbing one at a time when a voice calls out behind us. Reaching the top, I stick my head out the side of the makeshift window my dad created last week and see Jackson Healey, a boy in Ambrose’s grade, running toward us. I’ve seen them hang out a few times, but it’s hard to believe they’re friends. Where Ambrose is still and pensive, Jackson is rambunctious and quick on his feet. He’s like a woodpecker, but instead of pecking a thousand miles per hour, he talks. Despite all that, he’s nice and he’s notorious for giving love notes to girls in every grade. He doesn’t discriminate.

Noticing my confusion, Ambrose leans down close to my ear and says, “I didn’t invite him.” His closeness sends a shiver down my spine.

“Jackson!” Cat squeals, waving so hard I’m afraid her arm might detach from her shoulder. He climbs Old Maple, not bothering to wait for an invitation.

“Hey, Kitty Cat,” he says, shooting Cat a lopsided grin, and Ambrose tenses beside me. Jackson unleashes his boyish charm on everyone, but Ambrose doesn’t seem too thrilled to see his little sister on the receiving end.

Jackson clasps his hands behind his head and leans back against the wall. “So, what are we doing today?”

I wait in silence. I never voice what I want to do first. It’s much easier to avoid conflict by going along with what everyone else wants.

“I say we play capture the flag!” Cat suggests.

Ambrose scrunches his nose. “We don’t have a flag.”

“Obviously. We can use any piece of fabric—use your imagination, Ambrose,” she says, shooting me a funny face and I smile.

Ambrose rolls his eyes. “I think we should go on an animal exploration. I was reading a book the other day that said every American’s backyard holds up to four thousand species. If we all split up, we can—”

“Nope. Next?” Cat interrupts, clamping her small hand over his mouth. I bite my lip to hold back a giggle and while most brothers would be annoyed, I see Ambrose’s chest shake with laughter.

Ambrose’s eyes suddenly land on me. “What do you think we should do, Mara?”

Shocked, I open my mouth but nothing comes out and Jackson cuts in, “You guys are so boring. Let’s play Truth or Dare!”

I avoid eye contact with Jackson, who’s wagging his eyebrows suggestively. I’ve played Truth or Dare a few times before with Cat, but never with a boy who’s said to have kissed most of the girls in his grade and mine. When no one answers him, he raises his eyebrows as a challenge.

“What? Are you guys scared?”

Cat takes the bait. “I’m in.”

Ambrose watches me for a second before turning to him, answering for the both of us. “Fine. We’ll do it.”

Jackson whoops in place and repositions his crisscrossed legs, making himself comfortable. His expression goes from playful to downright serious and sweat pools in my armpits. “I’ll go first,” he says. “Cat, truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

“Did you really hold hands with Marco Sanchez on the bus ride back from the field trip last week?”

Cat smirks, unimpressed. “Yes.”

He stares back at her with slight shock. He’s met his match. He nods, signaling her turn.

“Mara. Truth or dare?” There’s a mischievous glint in her eyes. One that only Cat can make look adorable instead of intimidating. I settle on truth knowing she’d never abuse the opportunity.

“Who is your best friend in the entire world?”

I want to laugh because she knows it’s her, but her expression reveals an undercurrent of fear. Have I given her the impression she isn’t my best friend? I’m not as expressive about my emotions as Cat. I used to be until my mom started calling me “overly sensitive.” But I always thought Cat knew how much I loved her. Shame that my nonchalance may have stirred up doubt within her fills me.

I reach across our small circle and squeeze her hand. “You are, of course. Always.”

Her smile is wide and satisfied.

It’s my turn and I’m unsure who to choose. Ambrose comes to mind, but I can’t think of a dare he won’t do and I don’t want him to know which truths I desire from him. I pin my stare on Jackson.

“Jackson, truth or dare?”

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