Page 32 (1/2)

"I’"

"Maybe not But it’s not who you are, either"

I flinch as he reaches for

"Doesn’t this give you a headache?" he asks

Yes "No"

He doesn’t look convinced as he dropshis hand across the sleeve ofin the desert heat?"

Yes "No"

We both stare out theas a group of teenagers walk by, laughing and joking while they jump into the car next to us They crank up the volu and zip off for a nor jealous "Why does it matter if I wear a uniform or braid my hair?"

"I’uardian Everything I do is to fulfill the oath I’ve sworn It’s the life I chose The life I’d choose again"

My voice sounds louder than I want Defensive

Vane stays calm and quiet as he replies "Is it? Or is that what you’re telling yourself, because otherwise you’d have to ado because you believed you deserved to be punished for so yourself ever since?"

Even if he’s right, even if I a myself, I deserve the punishment And he’ll knohy soon I should just tell him now Get it over with

"You deserve to be happy," he whispers "No matter what you think or what you did You deserve to be happy"

"I--"

"You do And what better tiht not even h--is there to start? Let your hair down Throw that horrible jacket in the Dumpster Give yourself a break"

"I can’t, Vane"

"Yes, you can You just have to let go"

My stoain and he swears

"Come on, this is insane"

He looks so earnest So honest And he cares

No one cares aboutand pulls out another fry, holding it out "You can start s justas the boy holding it

"Your body is hungry, Audra Give it one thing it wants"

Allscream atmy days of weakness

But deep, deep down, a tiny voice whispers sooing to hurt?"

Only me, when I have to endure extra h the week Why not give e rab the fry and shove it in my mouth My first bite of real food in ten years

And it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted

CHAPTER 43

VANE

I can’t believe she did it

I watch her close her eyes and chew, half-expecting her to spit it out any second But she ss Then her hungry eyes meet mine I’ve never seen her so shy So timid Sohappy

"Can I have another?" she whispers

I reach into the bag and grab another fry It’s one of the soggy ones--the kind that feels more like a woronna do this, we’re gonna do it right," I say, dropping the bag inthe car in reverse I can’t believe I didn’t think of this in the first place

"Where are we going?" she asks, reaching for the bag I pull it away from her

"No way I will not let your firstyou to In-N-Out"

I push the gas pedal to the floor, hoping she won’t change her et there But she doesn’t She doesn’t even hesitate to takelot

The heat hits us like a wall, and she pushes up the sleeves of her jacket

I stop walking "Just take it off"

Resistance flares in her eyes, but I squeeze her hand "Cohs Then pulls her hand away and starts undoing buttons

My heart beats double-time I know she has a skimpy black tank on under there--but that isn’t what makes the action so sexy Well, okay, it helps But it’s way hotter watching her do soe

I’m tempted to make her undo the braid, too, but I don’t want to press ain, leading her into In-N-Out

"What’s so great about this place?" Audra asks, looking a little intiht white, red, and yellow restaurant, and I catch several people staring at her Though half of thehter "You’ll see"