“I wonder if that’s Jack and Evan,” Sam says. She uses her arms to lift herself out of the pool. Her bikini bottoms barely cover her. My parents would probably never let me wear something that skimpy. Not that I’d want to.

She shakes her wet hair when she stands up, spraying water on me and Micah.

“C’mon, Sierra. Get out so we can greet them.”

Sierra uses the ladder on the side of the pool. Her bikini is just as skimpy as Sam’s. I’m glad I’m still wearing my clothes, and try to think of a way to avoid going into the pool. I am going to look ridiculous next to them in my little-girl one-piece. Also, I realize I forgot to bring a towel.

“Hey, guys!” Sam says in her flirty way.

Jack and Evan are already wearing their bathing suits and no shirts. They each have towels draped over their shoulders and walk over to us confidently, like they’ve practiced their look. I wonder if, when Micah looks at these two, he feels the same way that I do when I look at Sam and Sierra: totally inadequate.

They shake hands with Micah and say, “Hey, Rachel,” to me.

“You look different,” Evan says, staring at me.

“It’s her hair,” Sam butts in. “Isn’t it cute?”

“Uh, yeah,” Evan says, blushing.

“You guys wanna swim?” Sierra asks. “There’s food over there, too.” She gestures toward a picnic table on the far side of the pool. There’s an umbrella over it with twinkle lights along the rim. The table is crowded with bowls of snacks.

“How many people are coming?” Micah asks.

“Oh, just practically our whole class,” Sam says.

“Sam!” Sierra says. “I told you no more than twenty people!”

Sam grins. “Don’t worry. I’m sure they won’t all show up.”

Sierra smacks her playfully. “I told Sam to invite people since I don’t know anyone,” she explains.

“Yeah, this is an ‘Everyone Meet the New Girl Party,’ ” Sam says.

I catch Evan staring at the flower on Sierra’s cheek, slowly figuring out what’s in the center. He looks a little grossed out.

The doorbell rings again. “And here they all come!” Sierra says. “Oh, man.”

“Don’t be nervous,” Sam says. “I only invited nice people.”

“We’re not nice,” Jack jokes.

Sam elbows him. He grabs her playfully and drags her to the edge of the pool. She fake-screams as he pulls her over the side. Evan runs after them and cannonballs into the water.

Micah smiles at me awkwardly. The two of us look so lame next to everyone else. It’s like they all turned into teenagers and we’re still kids.

“Are you going in?” he asks.

“I forgot my towel,” I say.

“We can share. C’mon.”

“Not yet,” I say. “I think I’ll just hang out here.”