It’s the night before Conor’s big show in downtown LA, and he won’t stop texting me. Earlier today in school, after Matt said yet another shitty thing to me, I told Conor sorry, I love him, but there’s no way I’m going to his show, but of course he hasn’t gotten the message through his thick skull. Conor can be terrible when he doesn’t get his way.

His latest text reads: Bro, don’t be so lame. Like wanting to avoid another awkward situation with Rosa and Matt is lame. I love him, I’d jump in front of a moving car to save him, he’s like the brother I never had, but sometimes he’s so annoying.

I’m in my room, which is fit for a ten-year-old boy—maybe the last time my mom took four seconds out of her day to notice something about one of her kids. Not that I care. She’s a jerk.

I lie on my back across a Transformers comforter that I’ve had since I was eight years old and respond to Conor’s text with one word—no.

He’s always doing this: peer pressuring me into shit I want to avoid. I shove my head under the pillow as my phone continues to buzz. I will ignore it.

I will ignore it.

Approximately one thousand buzzes later, I pull my head out. Twelve new text messages. Jesus Christ, Conor. He cannot take a hint.

I scroll through and am about to throw my phone back down when one of them catches my eye.

Lucy’s friend will be there.

My heart jumps. I write back a quick response.

Lucy’s friend…meaning May?

My phone buzzes again almost immediately.

HA! There you are. I knew that would get you to respond. Yes, duh. You ass.

I take a deep breath. May’s been avoiding me since the incident during drama class last week, and after a couple attempts to talk to her, I started to take the hint. But if she’s going to their show…and she knows that I might go to the show (since Conor’s my only friend, although god willing she doesn’t know that little detail)…does that mean she wants to see me?

Zach, stop ignoring me!##@!

The guy has to be the most impatient person in the world. I shake my head at my phone, but I have to admit my interest has been piqued. I can’t imagine there’s much chance that May wants to see me, but maybe if she’s there, and I’m there, and there’s rock music playing softly in the background…

BRO!!!!!

The buzz of my phone interrupts my reverie.

I sigh. He’s not going to leave me alone until I respond.

FINE. I’ll go. Now will you please shut the F up?!