"Hello, Amanda," Nicole says.
The way she says it doesn't come across as deliberately rude—she genuinely thinks my name is Amanda. It makes me snicker as I plop myself down next to her on the front steps. The rain pelts against the overhanging roof, draining into the gutters and onto the grass. Nicole and I sit in silence for a moment, feeling each other out. She must be desperate to be here.
"So close," I say. "It's Amelia."
"Oh, my bad," I can tell she doesn't feel bad at all. "I wanted to drop by and apologize for being so rude to you at that fire a couple weeks ago. You were trying to befriend me and...I hope your offer still stands."
"What happened?"
"Why did something have to happen?"
"You really think I'm going to buy that you've had a sudden change of heart?" I turn to face
