Page 4 of See You in Your Dreams

Cat grins. “Yup. Pretty much.” She tugs on Robbie’s arm, and he obediently leans down so she can kiss him. Alexis makes anawsound while I mock gag.

I’m happy for them I guess, even if I’m surprised. I’d never really seen the two of them together like that. Though, I can’t pretend I’m also not a bit jealous. What I wouldn’t give to find my own other half—not that I have enough free time for a relationship, anyway.

The four of us move to the steps leading to the school’s front entrance and claim a section, chatting while we wait for the inevitable bell to ring.

Unsurprisingly, Alexis spent most of break volunteering at her church. She’d long since given up on convincing us to attend services, but it sounds like she still wrangled Cat and Robbie into helping at a few charity events.

Cat, for her part, went to a frankly ridiculous number of concerts based on how she gushes about all the new music Ihaveto listen to and how she’ll put together a playlist for me. And Robbie…well, I have no idea what he spent his time doing, other than apparently starting a relationship with Cat, which I’m still trying to wrap my head around.

I love my friends—I really do. We’re all so different, but somehow we’d made it work Freshman year, and I wouldn’ttrade any of them for the world. Yet, sitting here listening to them talk about all the cool things they did both separately and together, I can’t help but feel like an outcast. Cat and Robbie are just one of the many things I apparently missed out on.

I do my best to hide my melancholy, but apparently it’s not good enough since Cat eventually levels me with a glare. “All right, spill. What the hell is up with you? You look like someone gave you a puppy and then murdered it right in front of you.”

“Cat!” Alexis gasps.

“Sorry,” Cat says, not sounding the least bit repentant. “All I’m saying is, Dylan’s mood has plummeted like 30 degrees since we sat down. You sick of us already?”

“Of course not!” I protest.

Her gaze narrows. “Is it Tommy? What did that asshat of a big brother do now?”

“Nothing! Well, okay,” I amend when Cat raises an eyebrow. “I mean, yeah, he’s been a dick. But no more than usual.”

“You like dicks,” Robbie replies out of nowhere.

Cat shoves his shoulder playfully. “Yeah, so do I. So does Alexis. But notthatkind of dick.” Robbie nods as though he’d just received a sage bit of wisdom while Alexis’ face darkens to a fierce shade of crimson. Cat turns back to me. “So, if not Tommy, then what? Something with your mom?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, my mom’s great as ever. It’s just…” I let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through my messy brown hair. “I wish things were easier, you know? That my mom didn’t have to work so much. That Tommy and I got along better. That my dad hadn’t split. That I hadn’t…”

That I hadn’t torn my family apart.

I trail off, embarrassed. I hadn’t meant to share so much. Besides, what right do I have to complain? Everyone’s got crap to deal with. All you can do is put on a smile and try your best to hold everything together.

“It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, Dylan,” Alexis says, her voice firm. “We all do. Life can be a lot sometimes. But I believe God has a plan for you, even ifyoudon’t. Things will get better—I promise.”

Only Alexis can lecture me about God’s plan and come across as sincere rather than condescending. I clear my throat and muster a grin I don’t feel. “Yeah, yeah. At least, I made a good chunk of money at the diner. And now that school’s back in session, I get to swap over to a job I’ll actuallylike.”

Cat perks up. “You mean you convinced that vet to give you a chance?”

I nod, my grin growing more genuine. “A couple hours a week doing whatever odd tasks they need—catching up on filing, managing their social media, that kind of stuff. But I’m hoping Dr. Jenkins will give me some pointers, maybe even let me interact with the friendlier animals.”

“That’s great, Dylan!” Alexis beams at me. “See? Things are looking up for you already. It’s all about positive manifestation.”

Cat rolls her eyes. “More like exploitative labor. They get to pretend they’re doing you some huge favor letting you earn experience when really, they want someone they can boss around and pay a fraction of what they’d have to pay a full employee.”

“Maybe,” I admit. “But it reallywillbe good experience. Plus, getting paid to stare at cute animals definitely beats staring at burgers and fries.”

“Less tasty, though,” Robbie remarks.

Cat grunts, “Fair,” though I’m not sure if it’s directed at me, Robbie, or both of us.

“Well,Ifor one think it’s great!” Alexis proclaims.

“Pics or it didn’t happen,” Robbie says.

Seeing my confused expression, Cat translates. “He means, we expect to see plenty of adorable pictures. You might as well take full advantage of the perks.”

“I’ll have to ask Dr. Jenkins, but assuming he’s fine with it, sure. Though…aren’t there already more than enough pictures of cats online?”