Of All The Stars

by Ally B

  “Mmhm.” She picks up a box of Starbursts.

  “All pink or regular?” She asks.

  “He hates pink.”

  She puts the box into the basket. “I want to get him a toy car.”

  “For what?”

  “Because he crashed his. He needs a new one, right?” She grins as she leads me toward the toy section.

  “Was he a dick about it or just pissy?” I ask her as I speed up to match her pace, apologizing as I brush past a woman with a toddler sitting in her cart.

  “Kind of a dick,” she says hesitantly. “I didn’t want to talk to you about it because I know you’ve had a great time on your dates and everything, but…”

  “He watched football the entire time we were at dinner on my birthday,” I confess as she scans the cars.

  “You went somewhere where there was football?” She makes a disgusted face.

  “Paulie’s.”

  “Oh, how romantic,” she deadpans. “You’re not making me like him any more.”

  “You’re not exactly helping, either.”

  “Then why don’t you just end it? He was quite adamant that the two of you aren’t together.”

  “Low blow, Vi.”

  “You have to admit that that was really shitty.”

  “Yeah.” I shake my head. “But it’s true.”

  “Okay, but he didn’t have to be such a dick about it.” She pulls a toy off of the shelf. “Does this look enough like Max’s car?”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  She tosses the car into the basket. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be telling you what to do. I’m sure he’s great.”

  I shake my head and concede. “No, I’m glad you’re telling me.”

  “Are you going to see him before I do?” Vi asks as she turns onto my street.

  “Yeah, I’m staying home tomorrow.”

  “Wanna give this stuff to him?” She asks.

  “No, you should,” I tell her as she turns into my driveway.

  “Listen, I’m sorry about making things awkward. I just wanted to tell you about what I see on my end and—”

  “No, Vi.” I cut her off, “You’re good. I just need to figure this out.” I stare out at the overcast sky.

  “Okay. Let me know if you want to talk things through or anything.” I see her fidgeting with her hands out of the corner of my eye. “Thanks for coming with me.” Her voice is small.

  “Vi, I’m not mad at you. Just trying to figure it all out, okay?”

  She nods, her face showing she doesn’t believe me.

  “I have absolutely no reason to be mad at you, okay?”

  “I know. But that’s what Gabby said too.”

  “I’m not going to make out with Jackson, ‘kay?” I try to lighten the mood. “He’s gross.”

  She shakes her head and scowls, a small smile making its way to her lips. “He’s not gross.”

  “No, he’s disgusting. Your problem. Clearly, I have enough of my own.” I can’t help but laugh as I unbuckle my seatbelt. “Did you know Max asked Ava to homecoming?”

  “I was there, remember?” She pauses. “Didn’t think it was that big of a deal, I mean, we all saw it coming.”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Well, Phoebe, my dear, as we all know, you’re a teensy-weensy bit oblivious.” She giggles.

  “I’m gonna go. Thanks, Vi.” I say, opening the car door.

  “Am I telling teachers you’re sick, or do you not care?” She asks.

  “I don’t care.” I shrug. “See you tomorrow after school at Max’s?”

  “Me and the entire soccer team.” She scoffs. “They’re all freaking out about McArthur on Friday. Apparently, Calvin found out already.”

  “You’re kidding. How?” I shake my head in confusion.

  “Everyone at school knows. It was only a matter of time.” She sighs. “Don’t tell Max.”

  “I won’t,” I reassure her. “He already feels bad.”

  “That would only make it worse.” She continues. “Okay, get out of my car. It’s getting cold.”

  “Drive safe.” I remind her.

  “Will do.” She promises. “Love you guys, glad everyone’s okay.”

  “Love you, too.” I slam the door shut.

  Sagitta

  The Arrow

  I groan as my alarm sounds, but I quickly roll out of bed and hop in the shower.

  I pull my towel-dried hair into a messy bun before pulling on a pair of leggings and a random Emerson T-shirt from my drawer. I opt for my glasses instead of messing with contacts, skipping makeup, too.

  I slide on my white sneakers before grabbing my keys and quickly pulling out of the driveway and turning toward Dunkin’ Donuts.

  I order Max’s stupid coffee and oatmeal and a black coffee for both Bill and Camila.

  I can barely even stomach the smell, rolling down my windows and allowing the freezing cold air to hit my bare arms before adding a donut with sprinkles for Mia.

  I make it to Max’s house by seven-o-three, knowing that Bill is already awake. I park my car in my driveway and shove my phone in my pocket before carefully balancing everything in my hands.

  Bill opens the side door before I can even think about knocking, taking the drinks out of my hand before closing the door behind me.

  “Don’t let Camila kill me, but I got Mimi a donut,” I say softly, kicking off my shoes. “One of those coffees is for you.”

  “Thanks, Phoebe. I’m pretty sure she’ll sleep through breakfast anyway,” he chuckles as I set the rest of the items down on the white marble countertop. “I’m going to go wake Mi up,” Bill says, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

  I sit down at the island for what feels like ten seconds before Mia runs into the kitchen.

  “I was already up!” She declares, jumping onto her own stool. She’s wearing a pink sparkly dress that definitely isn’t meant for a casual day at school and a pink and gold crown.

  “Good job.” I offer my hand for a high-five, which she accepts.

  “Phoebe got you a treat for breakfast,” Bill tells her.

  “Our secret.” I offer her the donut, which she gladly accepts, flattening the paper bag before setting it down.

  “That’s such a pretty dress, Mi,” I say, hoping she’ll explain.

  “Thanks.” She shrugs. “It’s spirit week at school. I’m Sleeping Beauty.”

  Of course. Shit.

  “Are you dressing up? Or are you staying with Max today?” She asks.

  “I’m staying with Max.”

  “I wanted to stay, but Daddy said I have to go to school.” She shoots him a glare.

  “No one would get to see your cool princess outfit if you didn’t go to school,” he says, sipping his coffee.

  “Very true,” she says through a mouth full of donut.

  “I’m going to run her to school. I doubt either of them will wake up, but feel free to wake Max up if you want,” Bill says as Mia finishes her donut.

  “I can take her to school if you want.” I offer.

  “No, I’ve got to stop by my office and grab some things anyway. Thanks, though,” he says to me. “Ready, Mi?”

  She nods, jumping down from her stool and sliding on a pair of light-up sneakers. Bill wipes frosting from the corner of her mouth before the two of them leave through the side door.

  I scroll through my Instagram feed for a while before reaching posts I’ve seen before. There’s not much to do besides bounce through apps, ignoring all of my Snapchat’s from Graham.

  “I’m going to call the cops.” Max’s voice startles me as he puts his crutches on the ground, slowly walking from the bottom of the stairs to sit next to me at the island.

  “And I’m going to call the fashion police.” I joke.

  He’s wearing red and green checked pajama pants, no doubt from one of the matching pajama sets they wear in their Christmas card every year, and a bright yellow T-shirt with the name of his club soccer team on it.

/>   “It’s a statement against… traffic lights,” he says, pulling his coffee toward him.

  “You’re dressing up as one to protest against them?”

  “Mmhm,” he says, taking a sip of the coffee.

  “You feeling all right?”

  “My ankle kind of hurts.” He shrugs.

  “Anything else?” I ask, remembering my own concussion after my accident.

  “All good.”

  “Promise?”

  “I’m actually thinking about running a marathon later if you want to join,” he says, pulling his food out of the bag.

  I tap through Snapchat stories while he eats, the little blue bubble next to Graham’s name in my messages begging me to open it.

  And I finally do.

  Graham

  Wanted to say that i’m sorry - Graham

  Violet explained - Graham

  I feel like shit - Graham

  it won’t happen again - Graham

  So sorry - Graham

  Why aren’t u answering? - Graham

  Rlly phoebe? - Graham

  This isn’t all my fault, yk - Graham

  U should’ve told me abt everything - Graham

  then this wouldn’t have happened - Graham

  Wanna go to hoco?? - Graham

  Sure. - Phoebe

  “Max! Your friends are here!” Bill shouts from downstairs.

  “We’re coming up!” Vi shouts.

  Max and I exchange a knowing glance before turning off A Goofy Movie, knowing Jackson and Tommy will never let us hear the end of it if they see.

  “Hey.” Kendall pushes the door open slowly.

  “You guys can come in,” Max tells them. “Quit being weird.”

  “You’re weird.” Violet sticks out her tongue, leading Jackson, Tommy, Ava, and Riley into his bedroom.

  “You’re really skipping school for a broken ankle?” Tommy jokes as he leans against the wall. “Weak.”

  “How you feelin’?” Riley asks him.

  “Like someone just cut my ankle open and made me half bionic.”

  “So, not good as hell?” Violet asks.

  “Huh?” Tommy asks.

  “Lizzo,” I answer for her.

  “Good as he-ell.” Max sings.

  “Don’t ever do that again.” Jackson shakes his head. “But you’re feeling all right?”

  “Yeah, I’m all right.”

  “Your mom is okay, too?” Vi asks.

  “She’s sleeping a lot,” he answers. “But, she’s fine.”

  “Haven’t you like, never had surgery?” Vi asks him.

  “Tonsils,” he answers.

  “When you were like four,” Jackson speaks up.

  “I was nine.” Max defends.

  “Whatever.” Violet huffs. “We got you a bunch of shit because we feel bad for you.” She hands him a blue bin full of all of the things we bought at Target yesterday.

  “That was a little aggressive, huh?” Jackson asks Vi.

  “I’m not good with feelings.” She shrugs.

  “Thanks, guys,” Max scoffs with a smile.

  “Hide it from your mom. She loves me, and I don’t want to ruin that.” Vi half-jokes.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Max salutes.

  “Has your dad told you anything about McArthur yet?” Tommy asks.

  “A little.” Max pauses. “You guys have practice tonight, right?”

  “At four,” Riley answers. “Game day tomorrow.”

  “You guys are going to be fine.” He shakes his head.

  “Maybe for tomorrow. McArthur is a whole other game.” Jackson shakes his head.

  “He has a plan. You’ll be fine.”

  “Unless his plan is to murder Calvin Woods, I don’t know how ‘fine’ we’ll be.” Riley sighs.

  “You’re going to be fine. I don’t think I’ll get away with going to practice tonight, but I’ll be at the game tomorrow.”

  “Coach Max to the rescue?” Violet chimes in hopefully.

  “At least we’ll lose with dignity.” Tommy jokes.

  “You’re not going to lose,” Max reassures them.

  “Our fallen friend.” Jackson shakes his head.

  “I think my Dad is going to fill you guys in on the switches tonight.”

  “Sometimes, it’s almost like I can still hear him.” Jackson continues as he looks around like Max isn’t really right here.

  “I’m going to kill you.” Max punches Jackson’s arm.

  “And feel him.”

  “Guys,” Tommy warns. “3:40.”

  “Max, we love you,” Riley pauses. “But we love not getting our asses tore up at practice by your dad even more.”

  “I’m hurt.” Max jokes.

  “We’re going to be hurt if we don’t haul ass.” Tommy butts in.

  “He’s my ride.” She points to Jackson with her thumb. “Love you both. I’ll be back.”

  “So will I,” Jackson adds.

  “Yeah, me too,” Tommy says as they head for the door.

  “I’ll have to hitchhike, but same,” Riley jokes.

  I hear the boys talk to Bill before they head down the stairs, and both cars pull out of the driveway at the same time.

  “I feel terrible.” Max sighs.

  “Not your fault.” I remind him.

  “I’m still allowed to feel terrible.”

  “Fine.” I sigh.

  “Wanna make dinner with me? I feel like my mom is going to go crazy if she doesn’t eat some arugula or something.”

  “Think you can make it down the stairs without getting hurt?”

  “I have a strategy.” He grins.

  And before I know it, Max is sliding on his ass down his wooden stairs with his left leg part-way in the air.

  “Doesn’t that hurt?” I ask as I walk slowly beside him.

  “Not when you’ve got a fat ass.” He jokes.

  I’m still cutting bell peppers when Max closes the oven.

  “You take forever. You know that, right?”

  “This is like the millionth thing I’ve added to this salad.”

  “And I seasoned the hell out of that chicken. Still finished before you did.” He sits on the stool across from me. “Are you going to school tomorrow?”

  “Am I a terrible person if I don’t?”

  He rolls his eyes. “When was the last time you just skipped school for fun?”

  “Max Sanchez, do you know who you’re talking to?” I look up from the wooden cutting board.

  “Phoebe Mitchell, keep your eyes on the sharp knife, it’s very close to your fingers.” He mimics my tone.

  “I’ll go to school Friday.” I shrug.

  He shakes his head. “The Salutatorian of our class. You’re a terrible example. You know that, right?”

  “You just told me to skip!”

  “I asked you when the last time you skipped was. I didn’t tell you to do anything.” He grins. “Thanks for skipping with me, though. It makes me feel less like I’m being forced to stay home.”

  “You’re the only person in the world I would do this for.”

  “Not even Vi?”

  “Vi could get run over by a bus, and she’d still refuse to stay home for more than two minutes.”

  He shakes his head.

  “What now?” I ask him as I finish with the pepper.

  “Just the dressing, but she’ll want to put that on it.”

  “Doesn’t she make her own?”

  “She made some Sunday night.” He confesses.

  “Is Mi at practice with your dad?”

  “Dance class, actually. I’m pretty sure Vi teaches her class.”

  “She quit gymnastics already?” I ask, leaning against the counter.

  “She didn’t like the outfits.” He sighs. “Mom was so excited about her future Olympic gymnast daughter.”

  “Olympics, huh?”

  “She’s obsessed with Laurie Hernandez,” he tells me. “You know she was only sixteen when she wo
n silver?”

  I point to him, “You sure know a lot about Laurie Hernandez.”

  “She’s his celebrity crush.” Camila’s voice echoes through the kitchen as she enters. “Don’t tell anyone, though. He’ll be tremendously embarrassed.” She ruffles his hair and whispers to me, “I suggest Jackson and Ava.”

  “How are you feeling?” Max asks her, his cheeks now flush with embarrassment.

  “Better knowing I don’t have to cook.” She sits carefully on one of the stools. It’s not easy with a back brace. “Thank you, Phoebe. I’m going to assume this was you?”

  “Max’s idea, actually,” I tell her.

  “You know how to use the oven when you’re abuelita’s not here? I never would’ve guessed.” She jokes. “That’s very nice of you.”

  “Am I good to go to the game tomorrow night?” He asks her.

  She thinks for a moment. “Doctor Mom says yes, but only if you’re extremely careful. Don’t know how Coach Dad will feel about it, though.”

  “He’ll deal with it because you’ll tell him how much it means to me?” He asks hopefully.

  “I guess.” She sighs and then looks at me. “Are you going?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.” I shrug.

  “Don’t you have dinner with your dad?” Max asks.

  “I told him I’m not sure.”

  “How is he?” Camila asks.

  “He’s okay,” I tell her. “I’ve only seen him a couple of times.”

  “You should go.” She urges. “You’ve got some catching up to do, no?”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  I leave before they eat dinner, opting for takeout with my Mom instead of salad.

  I go to bed early, but of course, I can’t fall asleep.

  137.

  Twice.

  I think about texting Max, but I know he’s probably asleep, too.

  Violet will have too much energy.

  Graham?

  Not tonight.

  Leo

  The Lion

  “Have fun!” I shout across the yard to Max as he gets into Bill’s car.

  “You should be coming!” He calls back.

  “We both know I just go to these games for you,” I laugh.

  “You’re not just obsessed with soccer?” He over-exaggerates a gasp.