Page 50 of The Corruption of Hollis Brown

Yulia was drawing on Hollis’s palm. They were watching a movie in class, and no one was really paying attention to them.

The glide of the pen made Walt want to shiver, but Hollis made it very clear what he thought about that, so they were suppressing it.

I had tattoos once, Walt supplied, apropos of nothing.

Okay, Hollis said. He didn’t care.

It was less common then than it is now. People thought things of you, so I used to hide them, Walt explained. I’m still not used to seeing so many people with them. It’s like being in the navy.

That was interesting.

You were in the military?

For as short a time as I could manage. I don’t like being in organizations anymore. Also the food blows.

“I know you’re not going to the actual Homecoming dance, but Clementine wanted to know if you’ll come to the Homecoming after-party, but she’s afraid to ask,” Yulia whispered.

Ew, why?

“Who else is going?” Walt asked instead.

Yulia pursed her lips. “It’s actually kind of a bigger thing. Will R.’s parents are out of town, so everyone is going over. Saturday night from ten until whenever.”

“Are you going?”

Yulia smirked. “I might swing by. I know you don’t like this stuff, and normally I wouldn’t even ask, but Clementine looked so hopeful. She doesn’t know you like I do.”

I do not want to go with Clementine.

But you do want to go.

This is the first party I’ve ever been invited to directly; I’m not just going to say no.

“I’ll be there,” Walt said. “Not with her, you know. But I’ll show up.”

Yulia’s smirk curled into a smile.

“You surprise me often, lately,” she said.

Before Hollis could stop him, Walt sucked his teeth intimate and animal.

“Happy to.”

Bright

“Are you on drugs?” Annie asked.

Walt turned Hollis around so quick they almost knocked into a door.

“What? No. Where would I even find drugs?” Walt said immediately.

Everywhere, idiot, this is a small American town.

“Uhhhh, everywhere. You’re, like . . . weirdly happy these days,” Annie said. “Too alert to be opiates, not cuddly enough for ecstasy; if it was weed you’d absolutely reek. You’re doing better in school though, not worse.”

I’m smarter than you.

You’re like one thousand years old, you’ve had more time.