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They’re really here forto watch me climb

My smile is uncontrollable, unable to shrink in size “I’ ton to me” I nod a bunch “Thank you”

Jane givesfor you”

When we part, I watch Maxihtstand “Your dad gave you this, right?”

“Yeah” While he unzips the bag, I shift the washcloth onankle and ask, “Where’s Luna?” I sound bu three cousins here to surprise me

Some people would hate this kind of surprise arrival, but they knew I’d love it I love the co faces

I love the company of family The company of my cousins—they’re like other birds in a nest And h froether somewhere else? To another nest?

Can that be enough?

Or do I really, really need to chart a course away from everyone?

My frown deepens

“My sister’s still in Philly,” Moffy tellsfor?

Charlie chimes in, “My brothers requested her appearance at their upco shows”

Eliot and Toer in an emo-punk band The three of them have been best friends since diaper-era, and in the past couple years, I’ve only recently gotten super fucking close to Luna We were roommates in the Philly townhouse, but I try to reer

I’e to Charlie and Beckett

Still, I can’t help but feel a pang of hurt that I ould go the fuck away I’m not in competition with Touess, now that I don’t have Beckett—I just thought I had Luna

Takingfor?”

He zips the backpack up, eun for you He wanted ht—”

“Akara already did,” I interject “We saw the gun in the backpack” I htstand

Moffy opens the drawer, sees the encased gun, then closes it

My head whirls, running through all their words AndMoffy and Jane excluded hi proclamation “So you’re not here to watch me climb, then?”

“Correct,” Charlie says “I’d actually rather be anywhere than watch you fall off a mountain”

“Charlie,” Jane snaps “She’s not falling off a mountain”