“I am happier,” Summer said. “I guess I forgot how bad I used to be.”
“Plus you had those out-of-control curls. Someone needed to introduce you to anti-frizz serum.” Kendall poked at Summer’s hair. “Way better.”
Summer pulled up to Kendall’s house and threw the car in park.
Kendall gathered her multiple bags—handbag, book bag, and gym bag. “Thanks for the ride. Call me if you need me.”
Yeah, Kendall was a little shallow. But she meant well. Even if her main contribution to society involved doling out fashion and hair advice.
Summer sat on her bed, reading her Repairing Friendships and Mending Broken Relationships brochure.
Communication is Key - Open the lines. Nothing can happen unless you tell them how you feel and ask how they feel. Do it in a courteous, calm way.
Swallow Your Pride - Try seeing things from the other person’s perspective.
Apologize - You might think that you were wronged as well, but that doesn’t mean you can’t apologize.
Take action - Put yourself out there and do something nice.
Summer groaned. It all seemed so basic. Stuff people would’ve done if they were at all interested in repairing a relationship. She tossed the brochure onto her nightstand.
When she turned back, Gabriella stood at the end of her bed.
Summer jumped, clutching her chest to make sure her heart didn’t escape. “Geez!”
“I’ve come to check on your progress,” Gabriella said.
After she got over the initial shock, relief filled her at seeing Gabriella again, looking identical to the way she remembered her. It meant she wasn’t crazy. Or maybe she was crazy enough to see the same person over and over again and had surpassed all help. That kind of crazy seemed more blissful than the in-between kind.
“Listen,” Summer said, “I’m glad you’re here, because you need to pick someone else for this job. Ashlyn hates me.”
“Oh, I’m sure she doesn’t hate you.”
“She does. I tried to meet her today and—”
“You barely met her today?” Gabriella frowned and started pacing, pink skirt rustling every time she spun in the opposite direction. “Have you at least made plans with her? I said that you have longer than most, but that doesn’t mean you have time to dilly dally.”
Summer hung her head. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
Gabriella halted her pacing and put a fist on her hip. “More important than a girl’s life?”
Summer stared back, not knowing how to respond to a question like that. No response seemed good enough. Her stomach dropped and the guilt started. “I don’t know how to do this.”
Gabriella sat down on the bed, her dress billowing up around her. “Look honey, I know. You’re really young—younger than most—and I wish I had more time to help you out. I can assure you that you’re the best person for this job. Not just the best, the only person who can help Ashlyn. We’re never wrong about these things.”
“I think you’re wrong this time.”
“I’m not. Now, you need to get close to her. Get her to trust you so that you can figure out how to repair her relationship with her mother before it’s too late.”
“But like I told you, she haaates me.”
“I have faith in you. You’ll figure out something. You Ciphers always do.” Gabriella patted Summer’s knee. “You’re our little miracle workers. Now, remember that nothing can replace genuine care. And what’s the best way to genuinely care about somebody?”
Summer shrugged.
“Get to know her. I know you can see the best in people. You’ve always had that gift. Even if you haven’t been practicing it as much lately.” Gabriella’s watch chimed and she looked down at it.
Summer couldn’t see what the digital message said, but there were definitely letters flashing across the face, a name, if she had to guess.
“Oh heavens, is he really dying now? I thought that was scheduled for tomorrow morning. Looks like I’ve got to go collect another one. Just embrace that this is what you were born to do, and you’ll find you have more strength than you ever imagined. Goodbye for now, darling.” Gabriella waved, then disappeared, her shimmery outline burned in Summer’s mind.
Over and over she heard Gabriella’s voice, words that felt like they’d stabbed through her skin and dug into her chest. I know you can see the best in people. You’ve always had that gift. Even if you haven’t been practicing it as much lately.
No, she supposed she hadn’t been searching for the best in other people lately. Part of her faith in humanity had never been healed, and she didn’t know if it was good to get her optimism back. You can’t have your faith destroyed if you don’t have any in the first place.
Chapter Six
Cody frowned. “You’re going to sit with them again?”
Summer had spent every lunch since Monday with the group who called themselves The Misfits, trying to win Ashlyn over. At first she’d found herself wishing to be back with her friends—with Kendall and Cody especially. Little by little, though, she was getting to know the people in the other group. She was even beginning to enjoy her lunches filled with unexpected conversations not involving the latest gossip or who was wearing an uggo outfit.
Summer wrapped her arms around Cody’s waist. “I’m going to sit with them for lunch, but I was hoping that after practice you’d come over to my place. My dad and Tiffany are going to be out late tonight, and I could use some company.” She tipped onto her toes and kissed him, knowing this situation called for a little lip on lip persuasion. “What do you say?”
Cody hugged her closer, pressing his hands into the small of her back. “Okay.” He gave her another kiss, lingering for long enough that Summer’s knees were wobbly by the end of it. She nearly teetered when he released her and headed toward his usual table to sit by Jack.
Summer walked toward The Misfits’ table, thinking she was glad she’d stuck it out with Cody. They were on their way back to normal, and she had a feeling she’d need the support over the next…however long it took to take care of this thing with Ashlyn.
“Hey, guys,” she said as she settled into the seat next to Marcie—the girl was sweet as they came, kind and giving and always checking on everyone in the group. Almost like a mom, Summer thought with a pang of longing.
“’Sup, Summer?” Aaron asked, and Darren pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose and nodded. The twins were totally obsessed with chess and math, but also nice, with an odd, yet charming sense of humor. And Nelson—well, he marched to the beat of his own drum. He talked on and on about role-playing games, practically speaking a foreign language as far as Summer was concerned. He also carried a digital camera around in order to record every little thing he found interesting. Which, yesterday, had included the way she ate her Double Stuf Oreos—push the chocolate cookies together, lick off the frosting that squeezed out the sides, then eat the rest in two bites. All of them got such a kick out of it, and by the end she was laughing, too.
They’d all been so nice to her, and you just can’t dislike genuine, nice people.
So far, Ashlyn was the only one from the group who’d remained distant and cold. For three days Summer had failed to break through the girl’s tough exterior. Strained, one-word answers filled the conversations she’d tried to have with her. With any luck, today would be the day Ashlyn decided to give her a chance.
Summer smiled across the table at her. “How’s your day going?”