Page 14 of Sweet Oblivion

Steve shook his head.

Nash? Did you get my text? Happy 17th birthday!

Aya’s text pulled me out of the dark place. Right. Focus.

“You okay, son?” Steve asked.

I nodded, unsure what else to say or do, so I refocused on my phone.

Just remember I’m older, I typed, smiling.

By ten whole days.

I could feel the sarcasm vibrating off her message, which caused my smile to grow.

I’m older, and I saved your life.

Yes, yes, my knight in shining armor. A king among men. Blah, blah, blah.

I barked out a laugh. She actually wrote blah blah blah. This girl. She had a fantastic sense of humor.

The next day passed as the previous ones had. I made it through the school day—chatted up by a ton of kids and not interested in any of them. I wished Aya was here, with me. I wished my mother would come home. I didn’t want to celebrate my birthday alone. Again.

So, I was more than a bit relieved to receive a text from Aya late that afternoon. It had to be really early in Nepal, and the fact that she’d woken up and climbed the side of the mountain, for me, made me smile.

Got any plans for the big b-day? she asked.

Not really.

But I knew Aya had already surmised as much, which was why she’d made the climb two days in a row. Warmth spread through my chest. This girl—this girl I hadn’t even seen since we were five, meant more to me than just about anyone in my life.

You know what I want, more than anything? Aya wrote.

No idea.

Cats. Well, kittens. I want a bunch of sweet furry babies to cuddle.

I wouldn’t mind a sweet little furball to snuggle with either. Something to love me, to keep me company when my parents weren’t here.

Yeah, I’d be down with a kitten, I wrote.

Aya sent a smiley face with heart eyes, making my insides warm. Jeez. I should stop talking to her, but before I set down my phone, another text popped up.

I wanted to ask my mum for one now that we’re moving back to ‘civilization’, but, from what you’ve told me, I should ask for a car.

Wait, what?? You’re really coming back this time?

That’s what she said.

She’s said that before, I wrote.

She seems serious.

Well, then cars are important to teenagers here.

No one here drives.

That’s weird.

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