The Science of Being Angry by Nicole Melleby

Author:Nicole Melleby
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Published: 2022-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

13

The 23andMe results would take two to three weeks. Which meant that for two to three weeks, Joey would have to lay low, and be on her best behavior.

Which meant she would have to avoid Thomas. And Colton. And her moms.

She and Layla set up the 23andMe account. “Do you have an email address?” Layla asked.

Joey shook her head. “No. Just use my school one. We never use it.” They were each given a school email address at the start of the school year so that teachers could reach their parents about issues and field trips and homework, but she didn’t think she’d opened it once.

Layla filled out the account profile, and Joey couldn’t believe how easy this was. They were supposed to be eighteen, unless they had a parent setting up the account for them, but Layla just clicked the buttons that swore they were old enough. “I’ll just pretend I’m your parent, giving approval.”

Layla swabbed Joey for her saliva (which was kind of gross—she had to basically suck on this foamy thing until it was soggy and then cap it into a tube—how Layla convinced Colton to do it, too, Joey had no idea). They “borrowed” stamps from Layla’s dad’s office to mail it off.

Two to three weeks. She just had to lay low until then.

Not long after, Thomas and Colton were getting ready to head to a free skate with a bunch of the other boys from school at the ice rink. Joey wasn’t invited. It was, apparently, guys only, even though Thomas barely knew how to skate and Joey was the only one on the hockey team who wouldn’t be going. Joey tried questioning Colton about it—she didn’t really believe that no girls at all had been invited—but he wouldn’t cave.

To top it all off, while the boys were off for their boys’ night, Mama dragged Joey right out of her bedroom. “We can have our own girls’ night! We never get to do that.”

“Oh, hey, what’s with the face, Little Growl?” Mom said. “Your moms are awesome to hang out with! Much more fun than skating around with a bunch of boys who haven’t learned how to apply deodorant yet.”

“Very true,” Mama said. “I happen to think that I’m super fun.”

“Sure you are, my love. Hey, what about going on one of those hikes you two seem to enjoy so much?” Mom asked.

Mama gathered Joey up into her arms. “No, that’s a Mama and Joey thing. Get your own thing.”

Joey stiffened. She wasn’t prepared for her mama to hold her, she didn’t want to be wrapped in Mama’s arms. “Stop, let me go,” Joey said, wiggling out of Mama’s grip.

She accidentally elbowed Mama in the chest. Mama let out an ooph, letting go of Joey and bringing a hand up to rub at the sore spot. Joey froze, her body tense, realizing she hurt her.

“You okay?” Mom asked, alarmed, sitting up straighter on the couch.

Mama nodded. She coughed and cleared her throat. “Accidentally got me right in the rib cage.

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