She had no idea what master bird-watchers were called.

“Sounds good,” Ben said. “You text me if you need an escort. Any day, any time. Got it?”

“Thank you,” Lia said. “You’re a lifesaver, and I’m sorry you’re out.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I’m only annoyed.”

All day at school, she thought about the game. And by the end of the day, she was starving. She and Gem drove to a nearby takeout place.

“Would your parents mind if you called out sick to school?” Gem asked as they drove.

“They might,” Lia said, lowering her seat all the way back until she was flat on her back and staring at the ceiling.

They had told her she could take more time off in that tone of “Is that what you really want to do?” that they reserved for when she was making bad decisions.

“I don’t get them,” Gem said. “You’re not a genius, but you always do what they ask and never get in trouble.”

Lia sighed. It felt wrong to complain when her life wasn’t bad. Sometimes all the little things they said tangled up in Lia’s chest and ached. It wasn’t like she could tell someone, “Hi, my parents keep doing small things that sort of hurt my feelings. No, they never do anything really bad. They just make me feel bad.” She would be laughed away.

“They should’ve stopped at Mark,” Lia mumbled.

“Shut up.” Gem got out of the car, kicking their door shut.

Lia groaned and opened the car door. A girl in a red coat pulled a large water gun from her car trunk. It was Mallory McCarty.

Popularity was a thing at Lincoln High, but they’d all known each other since kindergarten and could remember who ate boogers or peed their pants. It was hard to get too high and mighty when everyone had seen you cry because the green-colored pencil was too sharp, which had only happened to Lia once. Everyone had a story like that, except Mallory. She was pretty and had never so much as eaten glue when they were in elementary school.

And Lia had followed her for a week straight to make sure she knew her schedule in case she was Lia’s target.

“Gem!” Lia called, but Gem didn’t hear her.

Mallory raised the water gun and fired. Lia threw herself out of the car and tackled Gem. They tumbled to the concrete.

“Prince,” Mallory said, shaking her head. “I didn’t see you.”

“It’s okay,” Lia said. She was used to it.

Gem struggled to their knees. “That scared the crap out of me.”

“Sorry,” Lia said, “but you almost got tagged out.”

“No, I don’t think that would’ve counted,” Mallory said. Her navy lipstick, so cool against her warm brown skin, was starting to wear. “You’re a witness and now you both know I’m after Gem.”

Mallory helped Gem and Lia to their feet.

“I cannot believe you dove like that,” Mallory told Lia. “It was really impressive.”