Sunshine by Nikki Rae Read Free Book Online

face light up as she kicks off her shoes. “Are we watching movies?” she asks.
“Yes, and Boo and Trei are here too.” I take off my coat and glasses and throw them on a chair in the living room.
We both walk into the kitchen where Boo, Trei, and Myles are still sitting at the table where I left them. Boo is smiling like an evil cat, but Trei and Myles’ faces are calm. Boo’s just trying to make me think that he shared something I didn’t want him to.
I start making Leena a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She runs over to where Trei is sitting and hugs her. “Well hello beautiful,” Trei says as Leena climbs onto her lap. Then she stares at Myles. Placing hand on her hip, she asks, “Who’s this?”
“This is Myles, he’s our new friend,” Boo answers.
“Oh,” she says, already uninterested now that she knows he’s just a friend and not anyone special like someone who can make balloon animals.
I set the sandwich in front of Leena, and she starts giggling for some reason. I shrug and figure she's being a five year old. I stand near the table, drinking some water so I have something to do besides just standing there.
“You’re a pretty boy,” Leena says suddenly, her mouth half full of PB&J.
She’s not the only one who thinks that. Wait, maybe that’s too nice. I’m not supposed to be that nice. It only gives him permission to be nice back. Which leads to…not so good things.
I nearly spit out the water I’m drinking, but I swallow it the best I can without people noticing that I’m acting like a numb skull.
“Well, you’re a very pretty girl,” Myles says back to her.
“I know,” Leena says happily. “Sophie tells me every day.”
“Well, Sophie must be a very smart sister,” Myles replies.
“Oh, she is, and she’s very pretty too.”
“Okay!” I interrupt before things get too out of hand. “How about we get to those movies?”
First Trei and I agree to get The Breakfast Club out of the way. Boo’s thrilled to share his movie with Myles. After the endless torture that is Boo mouthing all of the lines and explaining to Myles what is going on as it happens and all of the specific reasons why he liked any particular part, the movie is finally over.
Next we watch Finding Nemo , which is a relief after having to watch all of those sad pathetic teenagers crying, but I don’t really like this movie either. I mean, some clown fish dad looking for his clown fish kid and risking his life to find him and all. It's just not a very good message to deliver to little kids. If things are really as dangerous as a fish swimming through an ocean full of sharks, no one is looking for anyone.
Soon it’s seven o’clock and Stevie and Jade are pulling into the driveway. We pause Finding Nemo and go to the driveway to greet them.
Stevie hugs me first, and the tightest. “How are you?” he asks as he lets go; my organs can now breathe.
“Good.” I answer.
Stevie is just like having another big brother, only more girly. He has shoulder length, thick, black wavy hair. Think Davey Havok from AFI, Pre- Decemberunderground. “You sure?” Jade butts in, trying to pry Leena off of his back.
“Mmmm hmm,” I say.
I just dodged this whole thing with Myles, now Jade and Stevie are bringing it up again? I mean, my eyes aren’t even red and swollen anymore.
Then Boo and Trei take their turns hugging Stevie and Jade as Myles, Leena, and I stand around awkwardly. Well, I’m pretty sure I’m the only one that feels awkward. Leena and Myles seem to be hitting it off. Leena is telling Myles all about her stuffed animal collection when Jade interrupts her.
“Hi. Who are you?” Jade says in Myles’ direction.
“Oh, this is Myles, he’s new at school.” Boo glares at me when he says this, like I was supposed to be the one to introduce him. Hey, he has a mouth.
Jade sticks out his hand to shake. “I’m Jade, Sophie’s brother.”
They’re both smiling at each other, but Jade looks cautious. “Nice to meet