“It’s not just ADD,” Rack pants. “It’s for depression, too. Then I’m on tetracycline for my skin, and don’t tell anybody, but I just started birth control pills, too. I’m still technically a virgin, but I have a feeling I won’t be for long. Junior is really, like, hot for me. All the time.”

“Do you want to?” Grimshaw asks.

Rack shrugs. “It’s inevitable when you’re in love.”

It seems to have been decided that we’re all going to be pals, which I would prefer not to go along with, although even I find it challenging to hate people who laugh at my jokes. Besides, Grimshaw has this nonnegotiable look about her, which I know enough not to mess with, for the time being. But—our years as plankton in the social food chain of Colchis High are not going to be overcome by a few jokes in the cemetery, and I’m sure by tomorrow life will be back to normal.

“Anyway,” Angel says, “I know Nanci Lee and your stepdad went out in high school. They were king and queen of homecoming in their day.”

“They say your first love is forever,” Rack says dreamily. “I know it is for me and Junior. Don’t you feel that way about Mike?”

“Mike?” I demand. “You mean Lyle? Is he still hanging around?”

“Why don’t you like him?” Angel asks me. “He’s always so nice to us.”

“She doesn’t like anyone,” says Rack. “That’s why she’s so funny.”

“You guys always look so happy together in that car,” says Angel. They start to chatter about what a cute couple they are, about everything he’s done for her and how much time they spend together. Mike and Melody, even their names sound good together. And it’s so sweet, how he calls her Mel. Rack wishes Junior had a nickname like that for her. I have to admit, I had sort of forgotten about Mike Lyle over the summer. The sound of his name hits me in a surprising way, with a little shock.

“Riding around in a rusty Corvette, though, talking about a Viper—what a loser.”

“He’s getting the Viper,” she says.

“He’s not getting a Viper. Unless he’s dealing something.”

“He’s not dealing anything, Serena,” Grimshaw says tightly. Then she scrambles to her feet. “You guys, teach us some cheers.”

“No, no,” Rack says. “I think we should sit right here and work out our issues.”

Grimshaw looks down at her. “Finish your beer, Rack,” she says. “Then drive us home.”