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If Janeʼs assistance was unexpected, then Jaoal to speak as infrequently as possible, and he never did so voluntarily

"Fine," Ashley spat at me in a quite literal fashion I had to wipe the et your way this time, but I swear that I will pay you back, Harper Donovan And that ly face"

It wasnʼt intentional, but it turned out that yawning was a fairly appropriate and awesome response

As was typical with local weather patterns, an hour later the te the ice incrusted streets into tiny rivers and the picturesque snow covered landscape into a muddy e cups of coffee ere on our way back ho the Interstate and had a very long and aniers It was nice to find soina Spektor than the Lady Gaga I practically calued when she showed me where Ryan Adams had scribbled "To Pottsie - Try the tacos, Love Ryan" on a napkin after she met hiive me a ride home once we finally found ourselves back at school The sun shining through the s had created a greenhouse effect in her car The gentle warmth, coupled with the hum of tires on pavement, acted as a lullaby I was ine in front of ," she said "I just want to help You know you can talk to ht?"

"Of course" I could tell Talley anything Just not this I couldnʼt tell her about the ho to do to me I couldnʼt tell her about how I had panicked and almost let it happen I couldnʼt tell her how afraid and humiliated I was And I certainly couldnʼt tell her about Alex

Talley leaned across the gear shift to giveI leaned in and restedthe security and comfort she offered

There were tears in Talleyʼs eyes when she finally let go "Are you sure youʼre alright?" I shook my head, unable to speak I should have asked her if she wanted to coto spill over

I went directly toto take off ainst it, the tears came with an accoer to fall asleep than I would have iined, but eventually exhaustion took over I expected to dreaed beasts stalking their prey Instead, I drearey eyes and dimples

Chapter 8

Iʼo to sleep thatʼs all I do, sleep My brain doesnʼt turn into so, bizarre movie theater the moment my eyes close If I do dream, I rarely remember details

This drea I remembered how the air sreen of new leaves, the yellow of a hundred daffodils, and the murky brown-blue color of the lake I re ainst the gnarled trunk of an old oak tree, ar down over his right eye