Emancipated by M. G. Reyes Page A

options. You, for example. Or the four other hot girls I live with.”
    â€œYou live with four girls?”
    He laughed. “Do you know anything about this house?”
    â€œI know that Candace lives here. And she’s having a party. I thought that’d be enough.”
    John-Michael grabbed a plate of cookies from a passing boy, who barely noticed.
    â€œTry one.”
    She took a bite and gave a blissful smile.
    He said, “I made it.”
    â€œReally?” A pout. “Now I wish you were bi, too.”
    He shrugged. “What are you gonna do?”
    â€œCandace is emancipated,” the girl said. “I knew that. I didn’t realize you all were.”
    â€œFree as birds.”
    â€œOh. I’m sorry. That must suck.”
    He glanced at her for a second, but the girl didn’t seem to be joking. She licked chocolate off a finger and gave him an expectant, sympathetic look.
    â€œAre you kidding? Most people are, like, seriously envious.”
    â€œReally?” She shrugged. “Not me. I love living at home.”
    He just stared.
    â€œMy folks are, like, these amazing people. I’m very lucky. They’re cool. My mom teaches music and my dad runs an ice-cream factory. Well, actually, he owns it. And a parlor, too. They’re really interesting and fun and they cook so well, I mean, both of them. I have my room and my own bathroom, my bike, my electric scooter, my car. They take me to concerts at the LA Phil and the ballet. . . . Why would I want to live apart from them? Doing all my own housework, laundry, no one to help with homework?”
    â€œWho are you?”
    She laughed. “Honestly, doesn’t it sound good? Breakfast in bed on the weekends. Mom’s blueberry waffles and bacon. I mean, I guess something must have gone wrong in your lives for you to want to be emancipated. Am I right?”
    He paused, wondering if what he was feeling was jealousy or skepticism. “I guess.”
    The girl continued to stare at him, then let out a huge laugh. “All right, I’m messin’ with you.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œMy life isn’t like that, not at all!”
    â€œSo your folks don’t do any of that cool stuff?”
    â€œNot really. Just the work bits. My brother and I hardly see them. But maybe if we didn’t actually live in the house, they’d make time to see us. Like, real time.”
    John-Michael stared straight into his Sea Breeze. The mention of parents was having its predictably gloomy effect on him. “And you want that?” he said, aware that he sounded mournful.
    â€œYes,” she concluded. “Definitely. They’re not a bad set of ‘rents.”
    â€œThen you’re right,” he admitted wistfully. “You are lucky.”

UNCORRECTED E-PROOF—NOT FOR SALE
    HarperCollins Publishers
    ..................................................................
GRACE
    BALCONY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
    â€œThinking of joining the stoners?” Grace stared down at Paolo, an ironic smile on her face. “You know, you don’t have to do it their way.” A couple of seconds later she was joined on the second-floor landing by Candace.
    â€œI don’t want to . . . I mean . . .” He frowned. “I don’t?”
    Grace grinned the mischievous grin she knew caught people off guard. “I mean, you don’t have to wait for the bong. I got Lucy to give us enough for a joint.” The smile and comment had the desired effect. Paolo couldn’t hide his surprise.
    â€œYou guys smoke?”
    Candace replied, “Hardly ever. Tina—Grace’s mom—is real strict. A total health nut. And Grace doesn’t drink. Now, on account of having to get up at stupid o’clock tomorrow morning, neither do I. Still . . . some form of intoxication seems appropriate given my news. I mean, TV! Kind of life-changing, you have to admit. So, you