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A social klutz and certified bookworm, Autumn Lyne is content with having just books as companions--that is, until her extrovert of a sister drags her out to meet her band. But nobody has expected that this would mark the plot twis...
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"Anyone got plans for the long weekend?" Nate asked.
We were gathered around in the HQ one day after school. They had meant to study together for their upcoming tests, but their study session turned into playing music, pigging out on junk food, and talking about anything under the sun. I was curled up on one side of the couch, reading a book.
"Haven't given it much thought. Nothing, I guess," Clover said, sliding me a questioning look for confirmation. I nodded.
"I don't have a choir practice this weekend," added Rose, who'd been rereading the same page of her textbook the entire time. "Why, do you have something in mind?"
"I was thinking we could stay overnight at our lake house if the weather's good."
"You have a lake house? That's awesome!" I exclaimed. They looked at me and chuckled at my sudden outburst. Even Michael stifled his laughter. Turning bright red, I squeezed my lips together and tried to contain my excitement.
"It's our family vacation house," explained Nate. "It's in Esterbridge, so it's about a two-hour drive."
"Nice! Countryside road trip, here we go!" Clint shouted, to which Rose nodded vigorously.
"Hey, I have an idea," Clover chimed in. "Let's throw a dinner party at your lake house. Like a post-Thanksgiving just for us."
Nate snapped his fingers. "Yes, that's exactly part of my plan. It's our Friendsgiving, and it's gonna be awesome!"
"Yeah! No school, no chores, no strict bedtime rules..." Rose said dreamily.
"No parents. But all the boys and girls will be in separate rooms, a'ight?" Nate threw a stern look at Clint and Clover, who were huddled with each other on the other side of the couch. "Autumn will be on the lookout for any fishy activities that might happen, considering she's the most mature out of all of us. No offense, guys."
The rest of them shook their heads, and I flushed at how easily they agreed with him.
"I-I'm not mature like that. I can also act out, you know?" I said, trying to sound like a daredevil.
Clover stared at me. "Oh, really? Please do."
I ignored her. "Anyway, I'm not sure if my mom will let me go with a bunch of seniors. She's extra strict when it comes to me."
"Don't worry. I gotchu." Clover formed her fingers in an OK sign. "It's only for two days. You need this break."
She was right. I'd been feeling down since that incident with Finn, and an out-of-town vacation would do me good. Plus, with these people, it wouldn't just be a vacation. It would be an adventure.
"Hey, Michael. You've been weirdly quiet. You're down for this, right?" Nate asked him.
"Of course. Life goals. Travel the world," Michael answered, tossing me a knowing look across the room. That caught me off guard.
