“Well, it made me feel better.”
I laughed.
“Kidding. But admitting your nerves is the first step to getting over them.” She smiled. “And you’re not a freak. You’re gifted.”
“There’s a difference?”
Her smile turned into a full-on grin. “I’ll admit. It’s slight, but there is a difference.” She put her arm around my shoulders, and I leaned into her. “You’re going to do great. People here are nice, more down to earth.”
“So you’ve said.” But I wasn’t holding my breath. I was a freak to the core, and even if the people were “down to earth,” chances were they wouldn’t be down with me.
“And now your cousins are only an hour away. Once we get more settled, we’ll have them over for dinner. They’ll understand you, even if the other kids don’t.”
She had me there. If they were “gifted” too, then maybe I could finally figure out how to have a normal life. “Sounds like a solid plan.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
I thought for a second. “Zone Bar?” I might have forgotten to eat again. When an organizational task was put in front of me, I was a girl on a mission. Puny matters like eating faded away.
“A woman cannot live on Zone Bars alone.” She gave me another squeeze before getting up. “Don’t worry so much. It’s all going to work out. Your dad and I are leaving for dinner. Date night, remember?”
I nodded. Every Sunday, rain or shine, Mom and Dad had a date. It was cute. I kind of envied them, but I had time to figure the whole boyfriend thing out. One day I’d find a way to be a regular girl with a totally awesome guy by my side.
Okay, so I’d take an average one. I’d even settle for a mediocre one at this point. The blame wasn’t on them; it was totally me. No one needed to be inside the head of a teenage boy when you’re the object of their thoughts. Because seriously, eew. Which defeated the purpose entirely.
“There are frozen pizzas in the freezer, and we’ll leave money in case you and your brother want to go somewhere. Eat. It’s an order.”
“Got it. Starvation-chic is not my look.” I grabbed an old Nora Roberts book and settled down in my window bench to escape for a bit. The predictability of her books drew me in quickly. There was nothing more certain in life than the ending of a good romance novel.