Birdie wants to take our picture on the front porch. I’ve given Elijah a pair of sunglasses, and I’m wearing identical ones. “Don’t you look like two peas in a pod!” Birdie exclaims, pointing her phone at us. “Let me give you a ride to the school. You don’t need to be sweating all over those outfits, walking up there.”

I’m thankful that Elijah is sitting in the back seat instead of me, because I’m not sure my stomach could handle staring at the back of his head right now. I’m still imagining what his hair felt like in my fingers a few minutes ago.

Birdie turns onto Main Street, and her Bluetooth picks up her phone. Barry Manilow bellows through the car at an alarming volume.

“Oh, I just love this song,” Birdie says, singing along.

My face burns. I don’t know why I’m suddenly very aware of Elijah. What does he think of Barry Manilow blasting through the open windows while we drive to Crenshaw? Does he think I’m a huge loser, needing my grandmother to chauffeur me around? Why do I even care?

I catch sight of him in the rearview mirror. He’s mouthing the words along with Barry and Birdie.

“… if you wanna believe it can be daybreak…”

He sees me watching him, and a shy smile spreads across his face.

“You know this song?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Maybe.”

“Don’t stop singing on account of me,” I tell him, only half joking.

“Come on, Ms. Birdie, let’s bring it home,” he says, raising his eyebrows at me and leaning forward in his seat.

“Come on and let it shine, shine, shine, all around the world!” Birdie lets her falsetto fly, and I can barely hear Elijah, but I know he’s singing along with her.

Birdie laughs. “Julian never sings Barry with me,” she says, glancing at Elijah in the mirror. “We might have to keep you around, Mr. Elijah.”

Birdie pulls the car into the circle drive by the gym doors. A few kids are milling around in the parking lot, and I spot Camille near the door. She’s wearing pink leg warmers over her jeans and a rainbow-colored sweatshirt with the neck cut out. Her hair is pulled into a high side ponytail.

“You look amazing!” she squeals when she sees Elijah step out of the car. “I’m so glad you decided to come.” She hugs him tight around the neck.

“What about me? Don’t I look amazing?” I ask, my arms outspread.

Camille laughs. “Yes, Juls. You look just like the pictures of my dad in middle school that I found in the attic this summer.”

“Well, I can’t tell if that’s a compliment or not.” I scratch my head and she bumps me with her hip.

“You have fun and be safe walking home, now!” Birdie says through the open window.