Page 44 of A Curvy Girl’s Hurricane Survival Guide

I go to my duffel and pull out a pair of shorts and a linen top that I almost hadn’t brought because Trevor hates the small star pattern on it. He thinks it looks childish.

In general, Trevor thinks that anything that pins me as bookish or fun is just me trying hard. It’s why my Powerpuff Girl tee became for sleeping in only. Even subtle prints like this were not okay for me to wear when we went out together, lest I embarrass him; the greatest of all sins.

I remember that argument like it was yesterday.

“Why would you want people to know that you’re a nerd? Do you just want the attention?”

That sums up how he manipulates people. He takes something he didn’t like and associates it with traits you would find negative. He makes me feel like he’s doing things for my own good, out of kindness, when the reality was he does it to control.

I look at myself in the dimly lit room mirror now that the early-morning light is filtering through the slits between the boards. I am trying to see myself through Sonny’s eyes. I know he looks appreciatively at my thighs, and he seems to share my tastes. I can practically see the smile and joy in his eyes as he takes me in, with my thighs exposed and my fun star-print shirt.

What am I doing?! Am I seriously risking even the slightest potential with Sonny because of a manipulative asshole like Trevor? So, what if he wants me to move on from Trevor quickly? I should be moving on quickly! I have wasted enough time.

God, I am being so dumb. Maybe I am the drama after all. I run my fingers through my hair, and as if powered by my epiphany, the power whirs back on. “I get it,” I say aloud to the universe. “I realize I was wrong. I see the light.” Then I leave the room to find Sonny and make it right.

Rule #18

BEWARE OF THE DANGERS THAT LURK IN THE POST-STORM BEAUTY

CAI

I hurry back to the kitchen, and even though the power has only been back for maybe ten minutes, my nieces and nephew are already glued to their phones, cereal getting soggy in their bowls.

Sonny is nowhere to be seen. No adults around at all, actually. Have all the adults already gotten to work?

“Hey,” I call out to the kids. “Did you guys see where Sonny went?”

They all look up and glance around the room as if I had simply missed him. Sofia and Patty shrug.

“Wouldn’t he usually be with you?” Lucas asks. “Did you guys fight or something?”

“No, we just had a disagreement on gaming stuff, and I went to change that’s all.” I try to sound casual.

“Speaking of which,” I say, looking around again. “Where are your parents? Do they know you guys are all zombie-zoned on your screens?”

Sofia rolls her eyes. “God, not you too.”

“Mama says she needed a shower. Papa went outside,” Patty says, not looking up from her phone. “Mama says we could use our phones as long as we ‘gave her ten minutes alone to wash the damn sweat out of her hair.’”

“Well, permission or not, those screens will rot your brain,” I say, crossing my arms, feeling like I am killing this Tia role.

“You’d think you’d understand the potential of gaming more than most,” Lucas says.

I open the back door and squint against the bright sun. Sonny isn’t immediately out there either. “Why would I understand? I’ve never been an advocate of video games.” I come back in and close the door.

“Yeah, but that was before,” Lucas says.

Why is he being so cryptic? “Before what?”

“Before Sonny.”

What did Sonny tell them that would make them think I’ve changed my stance on video games? I am antsy to find him, but I also want to know what the heck Lucas is trying to say. “Why would Sonny make me change my mind?” I stand with my hands on my hips.

“Because of who he is…” Lucas says like it was obvious. He rolls his eyes at me without lifting his face from his phone.

I look at him, confused. “Huh?”

“You know, like what he does for a living…” It’s Sofia, now, who looks up from her phone to explain further.