“Why are they doing this on a Tuesday?” I mused.

“Because there’s a big card game that happens at John’s parents’ house every Tuesday,” Berry said, pulling the keys out of the ignition and tucking them in her pocket. “All the Forevers’ parents go. And they stay out late.”

“OH!”

“Yeah.” Berry threw open the door. “Okay, let’s go.”

Out back, behind the house, the yard was set up with lights and various firepits, with circles of teenagers all gathered in clumps. A giant set of speakers was set up on a big patio table, blasting music with enough bass to plug or unplug your ears.

I looked around, staring at each group I could see from where we were standing, for a girl with crutches and long hair, who I hoped would be there. But was not.

“What should we do?” I asked.

“How should I know? This was YOUR idea,” Berry said, shoving her hands in her pockets.

“Why don’t we just get the party feel?” I said. “Then we can find Gilly and Sarah and Tanner.”

Berry held out her hand. “After you.”

Okay, so walking around a backyard full of bad music and people who don’t like you or don’t know you (although probably they knew me by reputation) was about as fun as you would think. Most of the kids were drunk or drinking, and laughing that loud laugh you do when you’re wasted.

And, of course, at the end of the rainbow was Tanner, who was standing with Sarah, a beer in hand, scowling at us as we rounded the corner.

“Hey!” a familiar voice called over my shoulder.

Gilly was wearing a big puffy jacket and a pair of jeans, one leg of which was rolled up to make room for a big gray medical robotic-looking boot. She was on crutches, which I could see were sinking into the dirt as she made her way toward us.

“Hey!” I called back, sounding more chipper than I meant to.

I felt Berry give me a look. “Hey,” she said.

“Hey, Berry!” Gilly was out of breath by the time she got to us. She leaned on her crutches. “So, you came! That’s great!” She looked over her shoulder. “Okay.”

“Yeah,” I said. “So should we talk to Sarah?”

Suddenly, behind us, someone let out a long, low burp, which wafted through the air and set the tone for the rest of our conversation.

Gilly’s face seemed to freeze as she looked at the source of the burp behind me. “Hey.”

“What are you guys doing here?”

I turned, Berry plastered against my side.

“Hey, Tanner. Sarah. Great party.” I could feel my cheeks getting stiff as my lips pulled into a nervous smile.

Tanner was wearing (shocker) a soccer jersey and pants. Sarah was wearing a shiny pink coat with little hearts on it. They were both, clearly, kind of wasted.