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Off to see Josh play today Won’t be back until toreed to drive ame I wasn’t sure if they were Josh’s tickets or so over and planned to sleep the entire ride, which sounded like a pretty awesome plan to me Alone in the back seat, I closed my eyes and was out before the car even left the city liot there, they dropped ate and went to park

Not a skin suit yet, I texted impulsively to Noah I almost wished I had taken him up on his invitation to come with me

I received an iruesome acts until the ride home

I took a picture of their license plate You knohat to do if I don’t show up at the library on Sunday I sent Noah the picture I had taken

Don’t mock me Rather have a pic of you

Like Lana, I had my own body insecurities and preferred to be on the other side of the camera The lens side

Can’t Never learned how to take selfie

Noah replied with a picture of Finn and Bo wrestling a keg into place in what ood without you

Are you caood stuff ‘til I see you

Absence row fonder?

If that’s true, I expect a really elco Even a dunderhead like h my body, and, while I missed Noah, I realized that I needed this This small separation reminded me of what it was like when Noah had sentme we should just be friends I remembered how empty I had felt after that letter, an eain on campus It was easy to be prickly within his steady presence, but now that ere away once more, I realized how ot back, it would be no ht out how much he hurt me, how much I wanted him, and how scared I was Then the ball would be in his court

I realized then that is what I should do with the Art progra the fear of failure By not sub my continued failure, just like Lana had said Sure it was easy to say that photography was just my hobby or that I didn’t want to infect it with row up and accept my lumps, whatever they may be I had survived one break-up with Noah; I could h another I could even survive rejection frouess we’ll see tomorroarm I can be I texted back, deliberately provocative So brave, I thought to myself, when I didn’t have to be there in front of Noah His response took a minute, but when it came, I felt flushed with excitement and happiness

Sorry for the delay in replying Had to adjust myself Can’t wait Be safe and don’t look at anyone but your brother

Yes, sir I wished there was a salute e smiley face ;)

I headed for the will call booth to pick up my tickets Inside the envelope with my name on it were two tickets, a lanyard, and a note froame Soa touchdowns for State, and Josh was pulled frohed in relief and happiness Post-game celebratory attitudes were a lot araphs early in the first quarter and then went down to sit in the friends and fanized Nate Levacki’s parents both hugged ood care of Josh whenever I ame Nate, e all called by his last naht end Moames and after the first year, Levacki’s parents finally stopped asking about her

By the tiot down to the Fieldhouse, the tea, as several of the players drifted out toward the exit with street clothes and wet hair Josh, unfortunately, didn’t show up for at least thirty minutes more

By that ti one ithin the hallway of the Fieldhouse, the painted white brick walls protectingas my pillow I threw my arm over my eyes to protect them from the harsh fluorescents that lit the hallway I was a little tired froame and the drive Josh finally showed up and wokeon me

"Nice bed, Grace," Levacki smirked

"I wouldn’t have had to lie down if you prima donnas hadn’t taken time to Bieberize your hair" I referenced his carefully styled sideswept bangs and stood up

"I’ve got to give the ladies an excuse to brush the hair out ofhis head to the side so his bangs lifted and resettled

"Guys ear et laid," I said

"Kids, kids, kids" Josh laid a hand on both of our shoulders and separated us, forestalling any sexually suggestive coht have had Josh liked to pretend I was still twelve and tried to prevent any ht knohat a penis was or what it was used for

Another teaame See you at West End?" The teaave a little wave "You can bring the chick She’s hot"

"This is my sister, you asshole," Josh scowled The reference to ot Levacki’s back up, as well, and he pushed the tea her to that hell hole"

The player shrugged and walked off "Your loss," echoed down the hallway

"Where are we going?" I asked