Chapter 45
Chapter 6
A crowd milled around outside the restaurant, spilling out from yet another senior send-off. They were
arguing about where to go next.
I kept my head down, gripping the handle of my suitcase, planning to slip past unnoticed. Someone stepped
right into my path.
I tried to swerve, but my luggage clipped their heel. I stumbled sideways, and before I could steady myself, someone slammed into me from the side. I went down hard.
When I looked up, Sean had his back to me, his hands on Sarah’s shoulders. “Did you do that on purpose?” His voice was hard. “She was right there p>
One of his friends spoke up. “Sean, Lily went down too p>
He turned, watching me push myself up off the ground. Something flickered across his face, but his voice stayed flat. “You need to watch where you’re going p>
I brushed the dirt off my hands and looked at Sarah. “Why’d you step out like that p>
Sarah’s voice softened. “I talked to Mrs. Hunter. She needs the room next year for another scholarship kid.
That’s all it was p>
She glanced at Sean, feigning innocence. “You jumped to conclusions. Maybe you owe Lily an apology p>
Sean shifted. “For what? She’s the one who’s been out to get you from the start p>
He paused. “Fine. If it matters that much to you, I’ll apologize. But she goes first. For what happened at the restaurant p>
Sarah looked at him, then turned to me with a bright, too-bright smile. “I’m sorry, Lily. You know how he gets. Don’t let it get to you p>
I glanced at my watch. Nearly seven-thirty. “It’s fine. You don’t have to apologize p>
Something in that set him off. “Real mature, Lily. Who are you trying to impress with the whole ‘ice queen’
act p>
I didn’t have the energy to figure out what he even meant. I grabbed my bag and kept walking.
I could hear them behind me. “Dude, that was harsh. She literally changed her whole life for you.” Sean’s voice carried. “That was her choice. Nobody made her do it p>
He didn’t bother lowering his voice. Maybe he wanted me to hear. I didn’t look back.
34.35%
Sean couldn’t shake the restlessness that had settled in after the fight. He hadn’t seen Lily since that night outside the restaurant. His friends picked up on it. No one mentioned her anymore.
He couldn’t figure out why she was so stuck on the whole study abroad thing. They’d known each other since they were seven, fifteen years. They’d never gone this long without talking.
Sure, he’d pissed her off before. But she always came around eventually, especially if he iced her out for a
few days.
She’d show up with that soft smile, ready to drop it. She’d even made him a little booklet of “Get Out of Jail Free” cards one year for his birthday, told him he could cash one in after any fight and she’d let it go.
So why was this different?
Eventually, he worked up the nerve to bring it up with his mom, trying to sound offhand. “Haven’t seen Lily
around lately p>
“She’s with her mother, I think. Getting ready to leave for Europe p>
The words hit him like cold water. The realization clicked into place. Her mom lived in a city with direct flights to Europe.
He thought he understood now why she’d been so determined to leave. But somehow, the knowledge made him more confident, not less. He still meant something to her. He had to.
Part of him wanted to apologize, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He dug the stack of cards out of his desk drawer and stared at them. They felt wrong now, too childish.
He’d wait until the semester started. They were both staying local for grad school anyway. He had time.
34.35%
admin