“Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”“Jesus, you are such a nerd.” Gabriel flung the lighter at him. “Stop using big words.”“Five letters is a big word?”

“So she doesn’t like the rain,” said Gabriel.Nick smiled. “I kind of like the irony.”…Chris sighed. “No one likes the rain.”“You do,” said Nick. He flung the lighter back to his brother. Gabriel caught it. “Maybe we should put some money on it, see how long it takes Chris to get her wet.”

“So, Chris," he said. "You couldn't make a smaller cut?"Nick's eyes were closed, but he smiled."Chris asked me to bite him first."Gabriel gave him a disguested look."You are one sick bastard.""I was desperate." Chris smiled, too, but then he dropped it. "Desperate people do crazy things.”

“Gabriel. Number three?" That killed the smile. "Yeah. My twin brother. He says he doesn't care if I go away to school, but I know he does.""Identical twin?""Yeah.""Niiiiice."Nick cut him another look, and Adam smiled. "Sorry.”

“Just a girl in my math class""Just a girl, huh?"Gabriel glared at him. "Just a girl."Chris smiled. "So was Becca.”

“Becca remembered something Chris had said earlier. "Wait, I thought you would be benched all year if you got in another fight."Gabriel laughed. "You're sweet. I'm not worried.""You're not?""Nah. Don't you remember? They all think I'm Nick.”

“If you want me to fix your homework, you need to leave me alone.” Then he spotted her. “You’re back.”“Yeah.” She glanced between him and Gabriel. “You do his homework?”“Just the math. It’s a miracle he can count to ten.”“I can count to one.” Gabriel gave him the finger.”