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She ski to sound like a broken record, but I’ve never drank before, either"

"I’m not surprised And you don’t have to drink I don’t drink too ht anyway"

"Really? You don’t drink a lot?" Her brows knit as her eyes travel across my black T-shirt and jeans, studded belt, the bands on s in izes when sheyou I’mental At least, I don’t think I am" Her face contorts like she’s confused herself

I think she irl I’ve ever met, even more so than Violet

Honestly, she kind of reminds me of Aura in the fact that she seems like she doesn’t quite know her place in the world Aura was that way, too--alanting to do a thousand different things at once, as if she had no clue who she was in life

It ely content and unsettled to think of Aura when I’m with Emery I usually try not to think of Aura at all, when I’ apart was painful and hurtful After surviving the wrath of Ben, I had hoped things would be better between us But then she turned her back on me in the worst tihs, interrupting hts "I really didn’taround you… For some reason, it seems okay to say whatever the hell I want"

I can’t help it I laugh When her forehead creases, I hastily explain myself "I’m sorry It’s not you It’s just… That’s not the first ti like that toIt , like because I can’t talk, I’row even more worried so I add, "Don’t worry Your secrets are safe with ht will never be repeated"

Confusion remains in her eyes "Who else does that with you? I mean, lets shit sputter out of their ht"

I shrug "A lot of people I kneing up Luke does it sometimes And my dad used to do it before Iht be the very first stranger Of course, I don’t ers who can communicate withshe’ll explain why she kno, but all she does is stare at the table where the poker chips are clinking again

I graze ain her attention then nod my head at the table "Coether Her fingers instantly stiffen, but that only hter

I pull a chair out for her, slidingIt’s a trick I learned fro people because it helps hi froa for an explanation of who she is

"Sorry, but you’re going to have to introduce yourself," I sign to Eers from hers then sit down in the chair beside her "Not everyone here can read sign language"

A slow breath eases froives a tentative wave "I’ain, including Luke and Violet She seems like a misfit even in this company of misfits Not just with her inexperience, but with her looks Every part of her body and face seems like it was created to perfection, created to be theeyelashes; plu brown hair; and skin as so on forever, her body equally as long and lean She’s so incredibly flawless I could see her being uncomfortable for so thelance at Luke and sign, "Dude, get the"

Luke shuffles the stack of poker chips in front of hi at his old roo to the side of him

Seth s," he says with a smile

"It’s nice to ht until she reaches underneath the table and snatches ahold of ers

"And this is Greyson, Seth’s boyfriend" Luke points at Greyson, who’s in the chair beside Seth He also used to be Luke’s rooot a place of their own

The two of them say hello then Luke continues around the table with introductions Seth and Greyson are the only people I know except for Harrison, a guy I’veat Emery

Emery releases my hand so I can play a few hands for her and explain how the ga way for about seven hands before I get restless Luke’s already cheating but can’t drink any of the shots since he’s a recovering alcoholic so Violet throws them back for him