Page 57

“Alvin, I swear to God if that’s you…”

I kept walking and his eyes narrowed.

“You’re not fucking funny now any more than when you were doing this shit when we were kids.”

I dragged one foot slightly. Had to get that full horror-villain vibe going.

He pointed at me. “Take the mask off, you dick.”

I stopped and he stared at me. I stared back, then slowly shook my head.

Darius muttered, “Motherfucker.”

I almost lost it and he took one cautious step backwards. I stepped forward, following each move he made.

“Seriously?”

Another step.

He backed up again. “This isn’t fucking funny.”

I remained silent, putting a finger to my lips, and that was apparently what did it. Because Darius turned and started walking away. Fast. I followed, of course, and he looked over his shoulder and walked even faster. I matched his pace.

“You are twenty years old yet more of a damn child than the campers.”

I continued to follow him without responding.

“Do you understand that?”

Silence.

“This shit stopped being cute in middle school.”

I tilted my head again and his eyes narrowed even further.

“Why are you walking like that? Are you Jason or a fucking zombie, you moron?”

I dragged my foot harder and he actually laughed once, a nervous little burst, then covered it by turning away.

“This is fucking stupid.”

I moved faster and the sound made him do the same. Not running. Neither of us ran. That would’ve been admitting this had become a chase which…

It had absolutely become a chase. He cut between two trees and I did the same. He changed direction and I changed direction too.

“Stop following me! I’m gonna kick your ass.”

I didn’t stop. I got even faster behind him. Swimmer boy couldn’t beat me on land.

“Alvin.”

I kept coming.

“Seriously, stop. I’m gonna punch you in the goddamn face.”

I spread my arms slightly and gestured to him. Go ahead. Fight me.

He skidded on the spot and turned around. His body was heaving. We were both breathing heavy. We stood maybe ten feet apart now. Darius stared at the blank plastic face (that I could barely breathe in, by the way) and his eyebrows pinched together in challenge.