The Summer of Bad Ideas by Kiera Stewart

Author:Kiera Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2017-03-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Slingshot

Minutes later, I am walking down the worn path that leads to Mitchell’s house. I almost chicken out three times. The first time, it’s because of what’s in my hand. But at least I come bearing gifts, which is apparently important. The second time, my brain wants to tell me how weird he is. But I remind myself that I’ve heard people at school whisper the same thing about me, so I power on. The third time, I start to wonder what the symptoms of a heart attack might be, because I might just be having one. And then I remember that fear probably feels a lot like a heart attack, and I breathe deep—three counts in, four out. It actually does help.

And I keep walking. And making kissing noises, to be safe.

When I finally reach his house, just as I’m starting to worry that I might have a fourth chicken-y event, the door opens. Mitchell’s mom steps out, saying, “Okay, kiddo, I’ll see you after my shift!”

She turns around and sees me there. I hide my gift behind my back. No need to freak her out.

“Oh, hi again, Edith,” she says.

I cringe. She came over to the house the other day, and my mom introduced me. “Actually, you can call me Edie,” I say.

She smiles. “Okay, well, hi, Edie. Good to see you again. You here to see Mitchell?”

I smile and nod.

She pokes her head back inside the door. “Mitchell? You’ve got company.”

He comes to the door. “Hey, Edie.”

“Don’t talk long. You’re responsible for Colvin tonight while I’m at work.”

“I know, Mom.”

She kisses him on the cheek, and he shrugs it off, wiping his cheek on his shoulder, turning pink. I feel his embarrassment.

His mom drives off, and Mitchell looks at me a little uncomfortably. My cheeks feel warm, but before I can even think of what to say, there’s a clanging sound from the other room.

“Be right back,” he says—and when he reappears, he has Colvin slung over his shoulder.

“Hi, Colvin,” I say, although I’m pretty much speaking to Colvin’s butt.

Mitchell gives me an apologetic smile, then spins around so I can see his little brother’s face. Colvin looks annoyed, probably at being taken away from his clanging things.

“Say hi,” Mitchell says to Colvin.

“No,” Colvin says, his mouth snapping into a tight frown.

“Say hi or I eat your baby toe.”

“No!”

Mitchell turns back around to face me. He opens his mouth wide and pretends like he’s about to chomp down on Colvin’s foot, but then Colvin starts squealing out, “Hihihihihi!”

“Hi hi hi hi!” I say back. It seems appropriate.

“Good. Now go get ready for the movie.” He plucks Colvin off his shoulder and sets him on the floor.

“Hihihihihi—”

So this is what normal kids are like. For a second I miss Henry and Beatrice. But it’s only a second.

“Hey, Cole, go on, I’ll be right there.”

But Colvin just stands there. “Fish are friends, not food.”

“They’re what?” I ask.

Colvin’s voice gets even louder as he begins to chant, “Fish are

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