Erin showed Trevor how to turn on the music. He chose a rock station. “Hey, guys, LISTEN! It’s my Uncle Jack’s band!” The group went silent, listening to the rock singer’s clear, vibrant voice as an electric guitar blasted in the background. “We’ll all be there NEXT WEEKEND!” Trevor said, clapping his hands. “Man, I CAN’T wait!” Charles stuffed a hot dog into his mouth. “Dude, I wanna go,” he said. Trevor was thumbing through his phone. “You want in, man? I can get you tickets,” Trevor said. Charles swallowed his hot dog. “Nah, I’m just messing with you. I can’t go. I have a hot date.” Sarah tried to ignore Elly’s smug expression. She watched as Elly slinked over to Bent and wrapped her arms around his waist.Bent, startled, nearly dropped a hamburger onto the ground as he maneuvered them off the grill to a plate. Charles lifted an eyebrow beside them. “Uh…you two? You’re a…a thing?” He looked at Elly in disbelief. Elly gave Charles an evil smile. “We are.” She kissed Bent hard on the cheek to prove the point. She turned and headed back to her chair to sit near Sarah. Charles, seemingly dumbfounded, stared from Bent, to Elly, and then to Sarah. His mind seemed to be working overtime. Finally, he shook his head. Sarah got up from her chair, feeling awkward under Charles’s gaze, and tried to sneak back into the house. “Wait, mom and dad said you aren’t allowed in there yet,” Charles said, hurrying over to her. He grabbed her arm and spun her around to face him. “Okay, OKAY!” Sarah said. She kept her eyes on the ground, not wanting to meet her brother’s annoyed face. Charles leaned towards her, whispering in her ear. “Are Elly and Bent really a couple?” He scratched his head, thinking. Sarah shrugged. “Yeah, I guess so.” Charles dropped his hand to his side. “No way. Bent doesn’t seem that into Elly. I mean, until she hugged him, I would never have known.”Sarah glared at him. “He’s not that into her. I heard Bent sees other girls. No, he’s not in a serious relationship with Elly. If that’s what you’re asking me.” Charles’s face spread into the widest grin Sarah had ever seen on him. “Do NOT tell her I told you that!” Sarah muttered. “I swear, Charles. I will–“”–Jeez, Buttercup. Didn’t mean to rile you up.” Charles patted her cheek with his hand. “I just couldn’t believe Bent could like Elly that much. I mean…it’s impossible. Look at the way he stares at you.” Charles jerked his head to the side, indicating she follow his gaze. “What?” Sarah whispered back. Her eyes flicked to where the boy with the beautiful name stood over the grill. He was helping Patrick unwrap more burgers. And, at that exact moment, his eyes locked onto Sarah’s. She inhaled her breath, feeling lightheaded. “See…” Charles snickered beside her. “I’ve been watching him closely. The guy is totally into you.” Sarah forced herself to drop her eyes to her shoes. “No, he’s just a nice guy,” she said, twiddling her thumbs. “Listen, Buttercup,” Charles said. “Guys are A-holes. They’re selfish creeps. Wherever a guy’s eyes are, that’s what is most important to him. And that guy looks at you almost every minute.” Charles poked her in the side. “Why don’t you go over there and talk to him?” Sarah shook her head. “No. He’s with Elly. Even if their relationship isn’t serious, I can’t do that to her.” Charles rolled his eyes. “Fine. Let me ask you something. Has Bent kissed you?” Sarah’s cheeks burned red, clearly giving herself away. “Oh? That’s interesting,” Charles said, laughing. “This conversation is OVER!” Sarah hissed. She shoved past him to go back to her lounge chair to hide.