Lorelie vs the Life of Summer Rose

Chapter 7

"Sure," I say. "But there's two things wrong with that."

"And what might that be, my dear Lorelie?" Beck is already standing up and brushing off his pants. He turns and stretches a palm out for me to take, and I reluctantly, I do, moving the cigarette up to my mouth to grab him with both hands.

"Well," I say, slightly strained as I'm hauled to my feet in a single swoop. "Where would we go to eat? Everywhere is closed right now, unless we're going to a pub. And that's a bit risky in itself. Not to wuss out or anything, but I think I'm at my limit for illegal activity."

"Well, luckily so are we."

"So how are we going to grab something to eat?" I cross my arms. "And how are we going to go to the beach?"

"That's why we have kitchens." Beck slings an arm over my shoulders. "We're just going to pop inside for a minute."

"And the beach?"

"We're going to drive."

"Funny."

"Not really," Gray says, stomping out his own cigarette. "We're going to steal the devil's keys. You'll see."

There it is again. The 'devil'. At first I'd thought they were talking about James, but the more they mention this person the less it seems likely that it is. James doesn't have a car. James also is the same age as us, so that can't be right. And while I'm well aware that James is insufferable, I wouldn't say it's for the same reasons they have in mind, let alone severe enough to be walking around demonising him like a living nightmare.

But the way they talk about it in their round-a-bout way deters me from asking. So I don't.

"Oh, right," Gray says, "do you want something warm to put on?"

"She does," Beck answers before I can, his arm tightening around me. I didn't realise how cold I was until I'd found out how warm he is, wrapped up in a thick rain jacket that seemed padded on the inside. Now, my borrowed shirt and pyjama pants feel flimsy and thin, and imagining myself walking out of the house barefoot, wading my way through the tall hairs of grass make me feel silly and a little crazy, too. But it's a bit too late for common sense. I've already committed to doing something stupid, so now, naturally, I'm determined to follow it through.

"I do," I agree. "I don't exactly have other stuff either. I—"

"Landed here today," Gray finishes. "Got you. I'll bring some other stuff."

"Do I just wait for you guys outside?"

"Sure." Gray pockets his hands. "You can come in though if you'd like. Pick some snacks. Just be quiet. How are your sneaking around skills?"

"Horrible."

"Perfect. You'll pick up on it quick enough."

To be completely honest, I've never snuck around anywhere before. I was my mother's perfect child before everything happened but especially after, so most of my underaged smoking and drinking and rebelling was all done in secret, where I could come home and lie about it a few hours later without any possibility of her finding out. And while that may mean that I've had my fair share of sneaking around, it's different. There were limits.

But I guess that doesn't apply now. I doubt that the Inoues will check on me in the night as long as I'm back within a reasonable nighttime hour— but that's only hoping.

I stop. Beck stops with me, and I can feel him looking at me oddly.

Don't do it, the logical side of me says. This is a very bad idea.