Bad at Love by Gabriela Martins

Author:Gabriela Martins [Martins, Gabriela]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

I wasn’t lying to Helena. Even though maybe for her it wouldn’t be that big a deal to just hang out with her friends, for me this is major. It’s the first time I’m hanging out with the rest of the band outside of rehearsals, and I’m hyper-aware of how new and weird this is.

When I get to the skate park, all three of them are already on their skateboards. We’re the only ones in the place, which is nice—I don’t need any cameras on me while I embarrass myself skating.

Penny’s hair is up in a knot, and she’s wearing a neon-orange crop top with black leggings. Wade is in all black, with a long T-shirt that makes him look shorter than he really is, and his white hair is standing out. Sam is wearing a loose sleeveless shirt with a skull on the front, and denim skinny jeans.

After quick hellos, Wade announces, “Just so you know, what you’ve got is not a skateboard. You bought a longboard.”

I look at the board in my hands. Now that I’m scoping out mine next to theirs, I can see that theirs are slimmer. “That’s not so bad, right? The one I bought looks easier to ride than yours.”

“Yeah, you made a good purchase,” Penny says, and smiles.

“Accidentally,” Sam adds.

“I hate riding longboards.” Wade shakes his head. “The wheels are too soft and big. It’s bouncy, horrible for basically anything that isn’t going in a straight line.” I stare at him, and he flashes me a smile. “But I guess going in a straight line is more important for you now than doing an ollie.”

Not sure what an ollie is, I nod along. Then I set the longboard on the cement ground and take a deep breath. “It doesn’t seem so hard.” I step on the board with one foot, and it rushes ahead, nearly making me lose my balance.

Sam hides a chuckle. Wade grins. I side-eye them both.

“I can do this,” I announce. This time I try to catch the board and step on it. One foot, then the second foot, and miraculously I’m standing on the board. I feel like I’m Tony Hawk. “Told you I could do this.”

“Nice!” Penny claps. “Now try to move.”

Sam drops his skateboard to the ground, pushes off, and sails by me. I try to mimic him, and this time I actually do lose my balance. I don’t fall to the ground, but it’s still frustrating. I curse, shaking my head, and Wade pats my back.

“Hey, hey. That was good! You’re doing it!”

“Obviously not,” I protest. “I don’t think I can do this.”

Sam looks over at us and says, “Guide you in your journey, we will.”

Wade agrees. “Best mentor ever. I’m Obi-Wan Kenobi, obviously.”

I blink slowly. Is this a reference to an anime they’ve watched together?

Penny rolls her eyes, but she’s beaming. “Dorks.”

They flash devilish grins to each other. I’m too confused to ask, and they’re too busy getting excited about how they’re going to teach me how to become one of the greats.

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