The Monday walk to school is sleepy for all five of us. That is, if you ignore Jess skipping on the side, avoiding cracks in the concrete path.

‘Did you know Pandora is performing at the city festival on Thursday?’ she burbles, then pursues her lips at the lack of reaction. ‘Pan-do-ra,’ she stresses out the syllables.

‘Yes, we heard you,’ Naddie replies. ‘But if the sentence doesn’t involve coffee, I’m not interested.’

‘How can you not be interested in her? She’s the best rising singer right now. I love her.’

‘Maybe because her music is not good?’ Max offers a reply, knowing he’ll rile Jess up.

‘Music taste may be subjective, but your opinion is wrong.’

‘Says the one that cheated at Monopoly.’

Jess rolls her eyes but doesn’t defend herself, which is suspicious. Zach, who is battling for best zombie impression with Naddie, perks up and glances meaningfully at his sister.

‘Anyway,’ she changes the subject. ‘I was wondering, since Max and Corey have jobs now, if they’d be willing to invest into tickets?’

‘Corey, as the only other employed one here, would you care to join me for the festival?’ Max asks me, turning his back to Jess. His shoulders betray the joke, shaking with laughter.

‘Why, I’d be delighted,’ I reply.

‘Please, I’ll sell you my soul!’ Jess steps in front of us, full-on theatrical mode. Naddie jumps aside just in time to not trip and break her other arm.

‘You owe us like ten souls already,’ Max points out.

‘I’m begging!’ Jess wails, hands clasped together.

‘It’s way too early for you. Why are we friends again?’ Naddie asks. It’s a joke, but Jess drops the theatrics anyway.

‘Seriously, let’s go,’ she says calmly. ‘I’ll go in debt with my dad if I have to, but I want to see her live. It’d be awesome if we all went together.’

‘Can you ask us again in five hours, when we’re more awake?’

‘But you’re always more willing to say yes when you’re tired.’ Jessica sighs and blows up on her fringe, messing it up. The faded scar on her forehead peeps out. ‘Fine, I’ll annoy you later. And if none of you choose to go, I’ll just ask–’ she pauses and looks at Zach. ‘My friend?’ she continues, the question mark loud.

Zach thinks for a moment, then nods. ‘I’ll allow it.’

‘What is going on? It’s very distracting.’

‘I bet Jess that she can’t go a whole day without the word Greg,’ Zach grins.

‘And when Zach loses, I get full manicure control over his nails. He’ll look fabulous,’ Jess rubs her hands in excitement.

‘Oh great, next time you fight, you both get to use your nails. How wonderful,’ Naddie grimaces.

‘What are you talking about, we never fight,’ Zach says.

‘It’s our way of showing love,’ Jess says.

They launch into their overly complicated handshake routine. It got invented when they were five, and over the years has devolved into a time-consuming monstrosity of intricate dance moves no one else could replicate. By the time they finish, we’re halfway down the street, and they have to run to catch up.