He thinks for a minute. “I don’t know, Rachel. I just do. I think it could be fun. Sierra’s pool has a diving board!”

“Whoop-de-do.”

“Oh, please. You know you want to try it. Why do you have to be such a snob?”

“I’m not the snob. Sheesh! I probably don’t have the right brand bathing suit to wear.”

“Sierra isn’t like that, Rachel. She’s nice. I mean, she invited you after you totally ignored her.”

“I didn’t totally ignore her!”

“Um. Yeah, you did.”

I swim farther away from him.

“You have a crush on her, don’t you?” I say.

“What? No! Why would you say that? You’ve been acting so weird lately. What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.”

I sigh and float on my back, trying to figure out what my problem is. Why do I feel so angry with him all the time, even though he hasn’t done anything wrong?

I swim back over to him. “You’re right. Sorry I’ve been acting weird.”

“Maybe the animals are stressing you out.”

“Maybe,” I say. I tell him about the chicken eggs to change the subject.

“That is so disgusting,” he says. “Who knew chickens were cannibals?”

“Not me. I’m never eating eggs again. At least not ones from the Townsends.”

“How was Lucy? Did she try to attack you again?”

“Yes. She really hates me.”

“I think she hates life.”

“Yeah. Well, she doesn’t have the best existence in the world.”

“But . . .”

“It’s better than the alternative,” we say at the same time.

“Hey, guys!” a voice calls from shore.

It’s Sam.

Micah waves happily, so I follow his lead and do the same.

“Where’s Sierra?” he asks when Sam joins us.

“She’s home getting ready for the party. She said she didn’t need help. You guys are going, right?”

“Definitely,” Micah answers for both of us.

“How’s your burn?” Sam asks me.

“It’s fine. Just stings a bit still. The water feels good, though.”