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Chapter One

I have an impressive collection of trophies that I did not win

Most of thee sales Two of theot from my father for my seventeenth birthday Only one of them I stole

My stolen trophy is probably my least favorite one I took it froht after he broke up withtwo months and it was the first time I allowed hi about how nice it felt, when he looked down at me and said, “I don’t think I want to date you anymore, Merit”

There I was, enjoying his hand onof how he never wanted his hand on ain I stoically slid out fro out est trophy he had He never said a word I figured if he duet a trophy for it

That district championship football trophy was actually the start of arage sales or thrift shops any ti shitty happened

Failtest? First place in shot put

Don’t get asked to junior prom? All-star cast in one-act play

My father proposes to his ue team champions

It’s been two years since I stole that first trophy I have twelve trophies now, although far s have happened to ly difficult to find unwanted trophies Which is why I’eant trophy I’ve been wanting since I first saw it six o It’s about a foot and a half tall and it’s froeant called Boots and Beauties

I like it because of the ridiculous pageant title, but I love it because of the gold-plated woown, a tiara, and a pair of boots with spurs Everything about it is absurd Especially the eighty-five-dollar price tag But I’ve been saving up for it since I first laid eyes on it and I finally have enough money to purchase it

I grab the trophy and turn to walk toward the register when I notice a guy on the second floor of the antiques store He’s leaning over the railing, staring atcasually in one of his hands like he’s been in that position for a while He smiles as soon as we make eye contact

I smile back, which is a bit out of character for me I’m not the type to flirt and I’m definitely not the type to kno to reciprocate when someone flirts with me But his smile is pleasant and he isn’t even on the same floor as me, so I don’t feel threatened by potential embarrassment

“What are you doing?” he calls out

Naturally, I look overhis co atto someone behind me But other than a mother who braved the antiques store with her little boy, there isn’t anyone else inthe opposite direction, so heto me

I look back up at hi down ata trophy!”

I think I ht like his smile, but he’s a little too far away for me to tell if I’d be attracted to him His confidence is attractive in itself He has dark hair and it’s a bit choppy and spastic but I’ because I don’t think I’ve brushed ray hoodie with the sleeves shoved above his elbows Tattoos cover the ar on, but I can’t make the and a little too tattooed to be browsing for antiques on a randoe? I should be in school right now

I turn around and pretend to shop, but I’nore it, but every now and then I’ll glance back up at him to make sure he’s still there He is