Fine, I grumble. It had better be a large.

She laughs. Of course youll do it for food.

I frown. Its my weakness. I cant help it.

I still cant believe you can eat like you do and still stay that size, Kelsie says.

I grimace. It will catch up with me, Im sure.

Doubtful. Kelsie helps me out of the car and links arms with me. Thanks for coming with me. I know were gonna have fun. And just because I love you, Ill throw in a side of fries with your shake on our way home. Deal?

Might be pushing it, I say. Im supposed to be eating healthy. You know, the whole biking thing? I frown. Maybe thats why I cant beat Whitney. Maybe I should start nibbling on crackers all day instead of downing a shake in five seconds.

Ill eat some, of course.

Fine.

Look. I told you I wanted to help take your mind off whatever was bothering you, so here we are.

You should have told me we were coming here, though. I would have pa.s.sed.

Is it helping?

I let out an annoyed breath. A little. Its true. I havent thought about Mom since we got here. Until now, I guess. But Im sure when Im actually inside with Cole and his friends, it will be the furthest thing from my mind. I can hope, at least.

I knew this would work. You should trust my judgment more often.

I sigh. I know.

When we walk through the doors, hot, stale air hits me. It smells like old shoes and grease.

Which makes me think of my closet first, and then for some reason, bacon.

Im kind of hungry. Maybe I shouldnt have skipped dinner.

There they are. Lets hurry and pay and grab our shoes before we head over, she says.

We walk up to the register and Cole meets us there. Marty, you made it! He glances at Kelsie. Youre awesome, you know that?

She grins. I know.

I shoot Kelsie a look before glancing at him. How many games are we playing? I dig in my purse, but hes already pulling out his wallet.

Ill pay for these two, he says to the worker.

You dont have to"

Hes already getting change back. Thanks, I mutter. He really didnt have to do that. Now I owe him. I hate owing people things.

What size shoe? the worker asks.

Six.

Cole laughs. Are you kidding me? You only wear a six? Your feet are tiny!

A slow smile creeps to my face. Not really, but thanks. I think.

Miss Tiny Feet, Kelsie grumbles as she picks up her size nines.

We share clothes all the time, but shoes? Never.

Were just finishing putting everyone into the computer, Cole says as we follow him over to the two lanes hes reserved.

My favorite person in the world is typing in the names on the board. And for once, shes not wearing pink. Whitney immediately frowns when she sees me, but it disappears just as fast when Cole starts talking to her.

Add Kelsie and Emmy, Whitney.

Sure. She shoots me a smile and puts Kelsie in. Then she adds me, but instead of my name, she puts an E and tells me she accidentally pushed enter. Sorry, she says.

I shrug. No big deal. What I really want to do is tell her where to stick her stupid E.

As I glance around the group, I notice besides Whitney and Cole, all of the friends he invited are other bikers. They were all on the team together last year. My old team. Mark, Isaac, and Jamie sit across from me, and John is taking his turn.

I notice two girls standing near Cole, both with dark hair and tanned skin. The older one, or at least taller one, looks over at me and gives me a smile. She says something to her sister"I a.s.sume its her sister since they look almost exactly alike"and leaves Coles side to walk over to me.

You must be Emmy, she says, holding out a hand.

I take it. Yes. Im Emmy.

Im Mia. Coles cousin. Thats my sister, Madison. She gestures to her sister, who smiles and gives me a small wave before sitting in one of the seats. She looks a bit paler, I mentally note. Its nice to finally meet you. Ive heard a lot about you today.

My mouth drops open slightly. Really?

Sure. Cole told me how awesome it is to know a girl whos so good at mountain biking. He didnt know many in California, so its new for him.

I blush. Oh. Thanks.

Seriously. Take it as a compliment. She smiles as Cole calls her name.

Mia, youre up!

Id better take my turn. I dont even know why he makes me bowl at all. Id do just as well sitting over here. Im horrible. She chuckles and walks away.

As she goes, Mark takes her place beside me.

Hows it going? he asks. He takes a seat and brushes his jet black hair across his face. I havent talked to you in forever.

Im good. You?

Great. You ready for Back Country in a few weeks? Its supposed to be killer.

I nod. Looking forward to it. Why havent I seen you at the last few races?

He shrugs. Ive been out for a few months. I crashed and dislocated my shoulder. Its on the mend, but its still bugging me.

I shiver. Sounds painful.

Not too bad. But bad enough to have to let heal before I ride again.

Kelsies knee is still healing as well. She can ride, but she has to go pretty slow. Hopefully you can ride again soon too.

Planning on it.

Hey, Mark. Its your turn, Whitney snaps.

He gives me a small smile before he stands and leaves me alone.

Hes a cutie, Kelsie whispers.

He really is. I actually had a crush on him last year, but then he started dating a girl from a different school. I wonder if theyre still together.

Mia sits next to me again and we relax in comfortable silence, cheering everyone else on. She was right when she said how horrible she was. She bowled a 1 on her first turn. Ill probably match her or get worse.

Once everyone else but me has taken their turn, Kelsie stands to take hers. Of course she gets a strike on the first try. Shes a natural at every sport, I swear.

She squeals and hugs everyone on the way back to her seat. Want to put a bet on this game? she asks when she plops down next to me.

Um no. Ill be happy if I bowl a 20. I suck.

She laughs. You said it, so I can agree with you.

Thanks for that. I give her a smile as I walk up to grab a bowling ball to take my turn, but as Im standing there on the slick floor, my phone rings. I pull my cell out of my pocket and frown. Its Mom. I stare at her name flashing on the screen. She doesnt usually call me unless theres an emergency. I turn around. Kelsie, why dont you go for me. I need to take this. I push answer and start walking outside so I can hear her better.

h.e.l.lo?

Emmy?

Hi, Mom. Is everything okay?

Shes silent for a moment, which makes me nervous.

Mom?

Oh. h.e.l.lo? she asks. Who is this?

Its Emmy.

Oh, honey, is something wrong? I thought you were out with your friends tonight? Why are you calling me?

My eyes burn and I have to bite my lip to stop from crying. Shes fine. Shes just a little confused. Maybe I really did call her. My phone was in my pocket. I could have b.u.t.t-dialed her accidently and shes calling me back. I try not to panic and make sure my voice is steady when I speak. Um I wanted to say hi. See how you were doing.

Oh, good. Where did you go again?

Bowling.

Thats right. Dad told me. You winning?

No.

I havent been bowling in years. We should go sometime. Maybe in a few weeks for girls night. Does that sound fun? Shes quiet again and I shiver as a breeze touches my bare arms. Emmy? You there, honey?

Yes.

Dont worry about calling to check up on me, okay? Ill see you when you get home.

Okay.

Love you, Em.

Love you, too.

I hang up and stare at my phone for a long time.

CHAPTER 9.

The day Lucas told me he had cancer again was a lot like this. It was one of those times in which I couldnt do anything to change the situation and ended up crying for hours after. I had known something was wrong. He hadnt been his usual self for a few weeks, but no matter what I said, hed shrug it off and act like everything was fine. I knew my best friend, though. He was just off.

It was late. Almost eleven when I got his text. All it said was that he would meet me out back. I slid off my bed, told my parents where I was going, and went outside. Id met him in his backyard so many times, I knew Id find him sitting in his parents porch swing as I hopped over his fence.

Hey, I said, putting my phone in my pocket and sitting next to him. Whats up?

He leaned his head back, his eyes on the night sky. Sorry its so late. I just its been a really c.r.a.ppy day.

Im sorry. Anything I can do?

He shook his head. No. Its nothing you can fix.

Okay? He was scaring me. There was obviously something very wrong. I could see it in his eyes.

Em, I need to tell you something. Its pretty big. And I havent told anyone yet.

My heart sped up. Whatever he was going to say sounded bad. Whats wrong? I can tell somethings been bothering you for a while now. Are your parents okay? Is Oakley okay?