I Forgot to Tell You by Charis Marsh Page A

a good kid.”
    Alexandra ran to get her purse and coat, and then followed Justin to his car, getting in the passenger seat beside him. She wanted to say thanks, but it didn’t seem appropriate, so instead she said, “Why do you have to date Anna?”
    Justin whistled, annoyed. “I can’t wait until you turn into a normal human being and start liking boys. I like Anna because she’s cool, and funny, and hot.” He reached out and turned on the radio, adjusting it to the Peak and beginning to sing along to the latest Mumford and Sons track.
    Alexandra frowned. Justin could actually sing, and play the guitar, and she thought it was one of the coolest things about him. Actually, she thought her brother in general was pretty cool, so why did he have to be so stupid? “But why do you have to date someone from my school?” she demanded. “Like, are there not enough girls at UBC? Besides, don’t you feel like a pedo?”
    â€œNot particularly, no,” Justin said dryly. “Look, I’m sorry, but you’re overreacting. And she’s only two years younger than me. Not even, a year and a half.”
    Alexandra leaned back in her chair, the better to sulk.
    Justin sighed. “Look, Alexandra, just give it up, please? Could you once, just once, act like the world doesn’t revolve around you? I really like her, okay? I don’t want you being dramatic and difficult to ruin this.” He looked over at her, giving her his best guilt-inducing expression.
    Alexandra sighed. “Okay. Fine. But it won’t last, she’s horrible.” They drove the rest of the way listening to the music and not talking.
    Alexandra hopped out of the car and ran to the house, knocking on the door. “Hi, Mr. Yu,” she said as he answered the door.
    He stared down at her, confused. “What you want?”
    â€œIs Julian here?”
    â€œJulian!” Mr. Yu shouted back into the house. Julian hurried out. “Lexi wants you.” Mr. Yu crossed his arms, waiting to hear what Alexandra wanted.
    â€œUh, I’m going to go over to her house for dinner,” Julian explained awkwardly. “Okay?”
    â€œOkay? Mrs. Yu has already made dinner. You no eat here, okay, but you tell us!”
    â€œSorry, Mr. Yu,” Alexandra said. “That’s my fault, I invited him late.”
    â€œYour fault? Okay, okay.” Julian quickly put on his shoes and followed Alexandra out to Justin’s car. Alexandra could feel Mr. Yu watching them curiously from the doorway.
    Julian got in the back, and as soon as they had started to drive, he turned to Justin. “What’s this about you dating Anna?”
    â€œI am,” Justin said firmly.
    â€œOh, cool.” Julian relaxed back in his seat. “Love this radio station.”
    â€œMe, too,” Justin agreed. They drove back to the Dunstan home.
    As soon as they entered the house, Justin ditched them to go get changed, and Alexandra and Julian were left awkwardly looking at each other. “Uh — want to come up to my room?”
    â€œSure.” Julian shrugged. They walked up the stairs and Alexandra pushed open the door of her room. “Holy frickin’ crap!” Julian stepped into her room and began to turn around, trying to absorb what he saw.
    â€œWhat?” asked Alexandra, worried by his shock.
    â€œI have never seen so many ballet posters in my life!” Julian stepped up onto her bed without asking in order to get a better look at the posters. “Geez. Polina Semionova, Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev (I really like this one!), Bridgett Zehr, Irina Dvorovenko?”
    Alexandra nodded. “Yup.”
    â€œDaniil Simkin, Tetsuya Kumakawa, Alina Cojocaru …” Julian fell to the bed, giving up. “Too many.”
    â€œSince when do you know names of famous ballet dancers?” Alexandra asked, surprised. “You never seemed to know who anyone was