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seth held a comic in both hands like it might break if he breathed too hard, the glossy cover sealed in a crinkling plastic bag. plastic man, issue faded slightly at the spine. the pool house was quiet except for the hum of the ceiling fan and the occasional rustle as ryan shifted behind him.
"we could not go," seth said, eyes still on the comic.
"can't not go," ryan replied from somewhere off to the side, getting ready.
seth sighed dramatically. "we can so not go. we already missed registration. it's not like anyone's expecting us."
"your mom called the school, man."
seth's voice jumped up half an octave in mock outrage. "oh did my mom call the—" he caught himself, scowled, reset. "you're the bad boy, okay? you're the outsider. you're supposed to be leading me into temptation, not homeroom."
ryan gave a half-hearted shrug. "it's just the first day of school."
"yeah, exactly. an entire day of—" seth waved a hand vaguely—"ashton kutcher's knuckle-knocking and going on and on about summer." he paused, winced at himself. "the season, not... not the person." he shook his head. "although at this point, how would i even know?"
ryan glanced up, eyebrow raised. "you haven't called her?"
seth deflected, holding up the comic like it might shield him. "remind me to explain the difference between plastic man and elongated man before you read this."
"so that's a no, then."
"when would i have had time?" seth huffed. "i just got back into town and i have three months of back issues to bag and board. and now, apparently, i'm supposed to go to school."
"you could've called her from portland."
"i did call her from portland. every day. left like six voicemails. and when she finally picked up? she told me if i ever call again her dad would have me killed."
"so summer has no idea you're back?"
"she said killed, ryan. as in, dead."
ryan leaned back with a sigh. "that was months ago. she's probably moved on by now."
seth looked up sharply, like the words hit harder than intended. "i'm sorry—moved on?"
