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I reached for es before I went back to sleep

Deleting all of Missy’s texts asking where I was, I lingered on the one sent after I would’ve already left for the hospital

Missy: Not sure what’s going on, but I’m here if you needshe didn’t turn her phone on until she was leaving for her ood Slept at a friend’s Be back later Have a good day

I didn’t expect a response, and I rolled over, tossing rabbed for it, surprised

Missy: Good Up half the night I orried If you’re okay, then I’ to oes to"

Me: Sorry I thought you’d go to sleep, but I’ood rinned, dropped my phone back to the floor, and curled back over I was asleep within seconds

A bang woke s Shay was still gone The bathroom door was open so he wasn’t in there I looked for his running clothes, but didn’t see the for , but hearing a second bang, I realized it was frouys were up

Thatany , I got up, used the bathroo down the stairs when a roar of laughter caainst the wall for a second, but no one opened the door

I slipped outside, feeling like a cri of feet I looked over, the group of guys were heading back to the house, but two broke off and cahtly beside and behind hiot to my car Shay stopped a few feet from me, but Linde looked almost dumbstruck His eyes were opened wider than normal, and a shadow forether

Shay was looking between the two of us, just waiting

"So" Linde rested a hand on the top ofdown to plop on his clothes and on the ce around his neck, the cords leading to his shirt’s pocket "This is going on"

Shay eating, too, but no headphones He straightened, both his hands going in his pockets His shoulders were slightly hunched He didn’t say anything

I tried for a s" Let the shame kick in, and I shared a look with Shay He shook his head, the slightest of twitches, and I kneas telling me not to worry about that

Linde was one of aze between us slowly "You’re just fucking? Is that it?"

Shay opened his mouth, but then Linde held his hands up "Look It’s none of h, if this joker hurts you, let h him up in practice one day Maybe clip hih he was grinning

Linde was sered in his eyes

He held a hand up in a goodbye, heading back to the sidewalk and toward the house where the others had gone

Shay waited until he’d gone farther up the driveway before pointing to lanced around Besides us, the entire street was ereen, and crisp lawns No one’s porches had fading paint or chipped walls The roofs were even shiny, like they’d just been built Brightly potted flowers in the landscapes, and there was a fresh dew smell in the air