Conversation Quote by Kristin Rae

““Before the train even leaves the station, the three of them pull out their iPods and press the earbuds into their ears. You’ve got to be kidding me. When both Nina’s and Tate’s eyes are closed, I yank on the cord to Darren’s earbud. He startles and his eyes fly open as if I’ve woken him. “Are you really not going to talk to me?” I ask, keeping my voice low. He rubs his ear like I hurt him. “Of course I’m going to talk to you. I just…don’t know what to say this exact minute.” I cross my arms over my chest. My head feels marshmallowy just thinking taking this conversation further, but I don’t have anything to lose at this point. I can’t go the whole trip with him ignoring me. “Just come out with it,” I say, bracing myself for who knows what. His eyebrows pull together and his nostrils flare as he inhales. “I don’t like him.” “Don’t like who?” He shifts in his seat to face me head-on. “That Italian kid who just mauled you. He’s Chiara’s cousin, right?” “Bruno.” “Bruno? That’s his name? Seriously?” he snorts. “I don’t remember any of us naming ourselves,” I defend. “Sorry. I just figured someone like him would be named Fabio or something.” I want to be angry, I really do, but I can’t resist laughing. “That’s what I thought the first time I met him,” I admit.””

— Kristin Rae