The Believing Game by Eireann Corrigan Page B

together and hang out. She was probably that kid who only saw the inside of other kids’ houses when the entire class was invited for birthday parties.
    â€œIt’s no one’s birthday, but it’s going to be a great weekend. We’re going away, on a retreat.”
    â€œA retreat from what?”
    I waved my arm, gestured toward the length of the corridor. “Well … from this.”
    Now I had her interest. “How will you do that?”
    â€œWe actually have permission from the dean and everything. We’ll stay at a cabin in the Poconos from next Friday night until Sunday evening curfew.”
    â€œWho?”
    â€œWell, I’m going.” Hannah did not seem impressed. I wish Joshua could have seen her blank look. “Sophie’s going. Addison. Jared Polomsky. Wes.”
    â€œThree boys, three girls. How’d you get the dean to allow that?” I hadn’t even noticed how coupled up we sounded. Hannah was right. It sounded a little insane that the dean would give us the go-ahead. Maybe Joshua could work miracles after all.
    â€œJoshua is taking us.” She looked confused. “You know, Joshua Stern? Addison’s friend. He runs a group on campus.”
    â€œThe old guy?” I swallowed a snicker. “He runs a Narcotics Anonymous group.”
    â€œHe does.”
    â€œI’m not a drug addict.”
    â€œOkay.” I kept trying. “It’s not that kind of retreat, though. I mean, it is, but not necessarily for drug addictions. We all have ways in which we’re not living up to our potential.” Hannah just kept staring at me. She certainly wasn’t acting as if she’d been sitting in her room, pining after inclusion in our little circle.
    â€œDo I have to join a club?”
    â€œNo. We like to think of ourselves as an elitist clique, but there’s no sign-up sheet or anything.” Hannah didn’t even crack a smile. “I’m in charge of figuring out a menu for the weekend. Any requests?” Hannah shook her head. “Are you a vegetarian? Or do you have any allergies or anything?”
    â€œI’m a vegan. And I’m allergic to wheat.”
    â€œOh wow, really? Okay. Okay, I’m glad I asked.”
    â€œDo you still want me to come?”
    â€œWhat? Yeah, of course.”
    Hannah smirked a little and started down the hall. She called over her shoulder, “Really?”
    â€œYeah, sure.”
    Hannah stopped walking and broke into laughter. “I lied,” she told me.
    Maybe I needed a translator. Someone who spoke crazy. “Hannah, I don’t get it. I don’t understand.”
    â€œIt was just a joke. I’m not really vegan or allergic to wheat.”
    â€œYou’re seriously so strange.” Joshua wouldn’t approve of that comment, but it’s not like Hannah argued with me. She still agreed to come.

When we finally piled into the van, I realized it would be my first night away since climbing out of my dad’s SUV three months before. I felt giddy about the prospect of deciding for myself when to turn out the lights and couldn’t even comprehend the possibility that Addison might be there beside me at bedtime. We’d loaded the bags into the back and Joshua had called for me to ride shotgun up front. Sophie just shrugged and handed up the directions. About forty-five minutes into the trip, we pulled into a Pathmark and Joshua sent Hannah and Sophie in with me to do the shopping.
    â€œIs that because it’s women’s work?” Sophie was laughing, but I knew her well enough to know she meant the question.
    Joshua simply said, “Your words.”
    The three of us had hopped down into the lot when Jared called out, “Wait!” and handed two twenties up to the front.
    â€œHey, thanks for thinking of that.” I meant it. “You want anything special?”
    He exhaled. “I’ve been craving root beer. I