Page 35 of The Map of Nova and Dev

“Hey.” Anders nods before giving me his full attention. “Cool. So, great. I can drive us into town when you’re ready to go.”

“Sure. Let us just run back to my place to drop off my car and change.” With Devin’s annoyance before we left, I didn’t really do much to get ready after our nap. I pulled my hair in a messy pony because my hair dried all funky and brushed on gloss. “I can text you guys when we’re ready.”

“Yay!” Claire claps. “I can’t wait to tell Mikenna and Emma.”

The tension doesn’t ebb when we get back to the house.

I pause at the threshold of my bedroom and stop Devin before he disappears inside his. “Are you sure you want to go? You don’t have to if you don’t want to.”

“Are you trying to convince me to stay here? Looking for some alone time with Anders?”

“What? No.” What is his deal? “We just sort of got put on the spot. It can be awkward hanging out with other people’s friends sometimes.”

He shrugs. “For you maybe. I can chill with anyone.”

My fists ball. “Okay, perfect.”

“Perfect.” His sardonic tone does nothing to ease my apprehension. “Let me know when you’ve finishedprimping.” Devin closes his door in my face.

“Aggravating, conceited…” I could go on all night. I move to get ready instead.

twelve | nova

The Great Northern Bar& Grille is packed. People line the bar two rows deep and cram close to the live band, while others crowd the arcade games and pool tables. With the summer season coming to a close, it’s like everyone is squeezing in vacation time. The summer crew mixes with the locals. Song after song, the wood panels vibrate.

Devin and Claire left to get closer to the band a good twenty minutes ago, and I haven’t seen them since. I peer over the crowd on my tiptoes, but I can’t see far with my height and all the bodies pressed tight.

Anders bends near my ear. “You want to go get a drink?”

It’s getting hot in here, so I nod, then tell Emma and Mikenna, but they opt to move closer to the stage as Anders and I make our way to the other end of the bar.

After Anders orders us a couple sodas, we maneuver further away from the music. Finding two bar stools along the room’s perimeter, my stare wanders to the pool tables. And not ten feet away from us are Devin and Claire. I’m equal parts relieved and irked. They didn’t tell us they were coming over here, but at least they didn’t leave. Devin makes a grinning comment I’m too far away to hear with the music’s volume, and she elbows his side with a laugh as she leans over the table to take her shot.

“So what’s the story with you and yourfriend. Are you two…”

It takes me a few seconds to ease back into the present, but when I register what Anders asks, I quickly shake my head. “We just met like a week ago.”

“A week?” Anders leans in, laying his forearm along the slim counter attached to the wall.

“He’s the brother of one of the instructors at my mom’s dance academy. I picked him up along the way since we’re headed to the same state. My parents didn’t want me driving alone, and this worked out best.”Way to downplay Willa’s importance in your life, Nova.

“Well, that’s… That could make for an awkward car ride.”

I laugh. “Surprisingly, not really.” Not for the reasons I’m sure he assumes, like hardly knowing each other. Our awkward car rides come from pushing buttons and setting each other off.

With no control over my eyes, they find Devin and Claire again. He’s moved in behind her, lining his body with the back of hers as she sets up another shot. His arm glides down hers, his grip curling around her hand. The girl doesn’t need help playing pool. I’ve seen her beat Anders more times than I can count.

Though Claire’s only a year older than me, we’ve never gone after the same guys while I’ve been here on vacation. Not that I’m interested in Devin(you’re such a liar, Nova Caroline Pratt)or that there have been many opportunities to gain crushes, but I’ve never been bothered over someone she’s with. But as Devin bends over her, one hand resting on her hip as she draws back the pole, a zing of envy launches through me.

No. This is ridiculous. I’m not going to get hung up on Devin, a guy who will be nothing but a summer memory in another week, when I have an old friend next to me.

“Tell me about UM. I can’t believe Claire ended up at State instead of with you. Do you love it?” I take a sip from my straw.

“Yeah, I can’t complain. Claire’s been one year behind me in school our entire lives. We needed a break. It’s a great school, and I have fun roommates. Never a dull moment.”

“I bet.” Anders is one of those always-on guys who love being the center of attention. An extrovert to the core, so I can only imagine what he could get up to with a bunch of other college guys.

“What are you majoring in?” I ask.

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