Page 67 (1/2)

A will only reetting close to Michael’s house

"I want to see you tomorrow," A says

"I want to see you, too But I think we both know it’s not just a matter of want"

"I’ll hope it, then"

I like that

"And I’ll hope it, too," I say

I float on that for a while, driving ho else that’s happened, and I start to sink When I get ho my parents about Justin, so I avoid the dinner, but I can’t even begin to care

I call Rebecca for a status report She tellsto be fine It will all blow over

After I hang up, I stare at my phone I click on the photo folder and it’s like my whole history with Justin is there He couldn’t rip that up

I knohat I told A is true: It’s not over

Justin and I are in the bad part now

Chapter Twenty-Six

School is brutal the next day All the whispering All the stares All the talk Some of it ridiculous Soone years without caring about , and suddenly they care It’s disgusting

There’s no eain I feel I need to navigate this alone A can’t help me here I need friends like Rebecca and Preston to helptouys shout it out

Justin has made it clear to my friends that they have to choose, and that he’s the one who’s been wronged He doesn’t care about Rebecca and Preston, whichto have to keep her distance when Justin’s around Steve, too She says she hopes I understand I tell her I do

"You’re too nice," Rebecca says, overhearing this

"No," I say "I don’t think niceness is my problem"

It’s like it’s not entirely real toout for Justin, that thinks we’re still together, and ether

I can fix this, that piece believes When, really, it’s the broken part

It also asks, You gave up Justin for what, exactly?

I don’t kno to answer that