“It’s personal,” I say. “If I like Cybil, that’s my thing. I know this is your way of helping me ‘come out’ or whatever, but I’m not ready to do that. At least not officially. I just want to get used to feeling how I feel. I don’t want a label on me. Not yet. But when I know for sure, I’ll tell you. I promise. Right now, I just need to . . . I don’t know. Not worry about it so much.”

He nods quietly. I really don’t like those glasses.

“What about you?” I ask. “Any progress with Sierra?”

“You know I don’t like her.”

“Sam?”

“Nah.”

“Anyone?”

He shrugs. “When I know for sure, I’ll tell you,” he says. But not in a mocking way.

“Are you OK?” I ask. “I know this must be hard for you, too.”

“Yeah, I’ll be all right. At least you guys aren’t moving to another town. And it’s not that bad of a bike ride, right?”

“Right.”

We’re quiet again. I think we both know things are about to change in all kinds of ways, not just because I’m moving. It feels scary, and sad.

“Micah?” I ask. I reach over and take his sunglasses off so I can see his eyes. “Whatever happens, you will always be my best friend and I will always love you.”

He smiles at me and his eyes get a little glassy, like he might cry. But he doesn’t.

“I should go home,” I say. “Hopefully the sale is over by now.”

“Want me to bike back with you?”

“Nah, that’s OK. See you tomorrow?”

He nods and I stand up to start toward the driveway where my bike is.

“Hey, Rach?” Micah calls.

I turn. “Yeah?”

“I love you, too. Best friends forever.”

It’s the first time he’s used that term. No more together forever. But best friends.

He’s wearing his sunglasses again, so I can’t see his eyes. I give him my dorkiest double thumbs-up and walk away.

Chapter Twenty-Six

After dinner on Sunday night, Mr. Townsend shows up carrying a small cooler. He also has my check for the week. When my mom invites him in, he sets the cooler on the floor and seems at a loss for words. All of us are.

“Mrs. Stearn from down the street told me what happened with the house,” he says. “I . . . I’m so sorry. What a shame. I wish there were something I could do.”

“I can still take care of the animals for the rest of the summer,” I tell him. “I can ride my bike over.”

“Oh, oh, good. I hadn’t even thought of that.”

We all look at one another awkwardly, until Ivy blurts out, “I know how you can help! You could take Rainbow! He would love it at your place.”

My mom makes a horrified face.