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Vivi Ann sighed Did they really have to have the your-room-my-house conversation every day? “I knocked You didn’t answer”

“I didn’t hear you”

“That’s because you listen to music that’s too loud”

“Whatever”

She refused to take the bait Instead, she reached out to tuck the hair behind his ear the way she used to, but he shrank back from her touch “What happened to us, Noah? We used to be best friends”

“Best friends don’t jack your Xbox and TV out of your room”

“You got suspended from school Was I supposed to send you flowers? Sometimes parents have to make hard decisions to do what’s best for their kids”

“I don’t have parents I have you Unless you think Dad ishard choices about me in his cell”

“I don’t knohy you’re so angry these days”

“Whatever”

“Please stop saying that Come on, Noah, how can I help you?”

“Give me back my TV”

“That’s it, that’s your answer You get in a fight at school and—”

“I told you it wasn’t my fault”

“Nothing ever is, is it? You’re like a fight uess”