Free Love Is in the Air by A. Destiny and Alex R. Kahler Page A

always appear to have more social grace.”
    â€œI’m going to pretend I don’t know what that means,” Riley says.
    â€œPlease do. And chew with your mouth closed.”
    In response, Riley makes her gnawing noise again and buries her face in the burger.
    I laugh, then look across the cafeteria and spot Branden. My humor dies in my chest; he’s sitting beside Megan, her other sisters nearly blocking him from my view.
    â€œWhat is she doing with him?” I say, not meaning to utter it aloud.
    Tyler follows my stare.
    â€œDon’t worry,” he says. “She doesn’t stand a chance.”
    But there’s a sick feeling in my gut as I watch them talk. He laughs at something she says, and I don’t miss the way her hand brushes against his as she reaches for a napkin. Suddenly all I can think of is Josh, the guy who stood me up, and the way he went for a cheerleader not a week after tormenting me.
    â€œYou’re totally not listening, are you?” Tyler asks, nudging me with his elbow.
    I jerk and look back at him. Was I really just staring at Branden like a lovesick idiot?
    â€œSorry,” I say. Because he’s right, I didn’t hear anything.
    He sighs.
    â€œI said, how was juggling? ” He asks the question unnecessarily slowly.
    â€œGood,” I respond.
    â€œReally good,” Riley says, wiping her mouth with a handful of napkins. “Jennifer’s picking it up real quick. I spoke with Jim after the audition, and I think we’re going to try to set up a partner ­routine.”
    I look at her, surprised.
    â€œWhat?” she asks. “I told him I wanted to work with you, and he agreed. So yeah. You’re definitely in.” She wraps an arm across my shoulders. “And you’re stuck with meeee!” she sings.
    â€œI feel so sorry for you,” Tyler says.
    â€œCould be worse,” I say. “I could be stuck in contortion with those three.”
    Riley snorts with laughter.
    â€œThat would definitely be a worse fate.”
    â€œWhat about you?” I ask Tyler. “What did you audition for?”
    â€œAcro and rope,” he says. “Though I spoke with one of the coaches who works as a hand balancer professionally. I guess they don’t technically teach it during the camp, but he offered to train me on the side. Your boy Branden was there as well, auditioning for Cyr wheel. He’s good. Really good. Except at backflips—kid nearly broke his own nose. Too bad he plays for your team.”
    â€œI thought you had your eyes set on the acro boy. Kevin?” Riley asks.
    â€œOh, I do,” he says. He grins at Kevin, who catches Tyler’s gaze, returns it, then blushes and goes back to talking with a ­couple of the girls from my hall. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t admire beauty. And Branden is pretty beautiful.”
    I sigh without meaning to and catch myself staring again at Branden, who’s still sitting with Megan and her sisters. Branden, who looks so much more at home surrounded by that much talent and beauty. Tyler says Megan doesn’t stand a chance, but I think he’s just trying to make me feel better. Branden’s cut out to be with someone immensely talented. I’ve already proven that’s not me.
    After that realization, it’s practically impossible to find my appetite. I pick at the fries on my plate and listen to everyone else talking around me. But I’m already drifting. They’re already moving faster than I ever will.
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    Near the end of lunch, right after they bring out a tray of what I thought were brownies but are actually chocolate-chip granola bars—a terrible misconception, albeit still tasty—Olga nonchalantly walks over to a bulletin board on the wall and pins up three sheets of paper. The casting announcements. She’s barely taken a step to the side before half the camp is