Page 67 (1/2)

He grins "I wasn’t about to buy you a ring with s St Clair "I’m only sorry you’re off the ht one for you, too," St Clair says

Lola throws her arms around Cricket "I can’t believe you didn’t tell onna happen"

"I wanted to," he says "But sos…out loud"

"I do not!"

"You do," Anna and St Clair say together

Lola gru

"Attention, attention," St Clair says "My fiancée and I--"

Everyone laughs at how strange and foreign the word sounds It’s like discovering a new language or being a part of a new culture The culture of adults And we don’t yet knoorks, but it feels good so far

St Clair clears his throat "My fiancée and I are headed out for a celebratory dessert I’d ask you all to join us, but I don’t want you there"

We laugh Everyone hugs one another goodbye again, and this ti Meredith whispers soain And then Anna and St Clair are bouncing off into the distance, weaving a path through the acculances at the full moon "You know…it’s not that late"

Cricket extends his ars hiainst her body "I can’t believe we’re in Paris Together"

"It was niceyou," Cricket says to"See you in the ?" he asks Josh

Josh nods

Lola and Cricket stroll away, a splash of brilliant colour in a white night And now there are three Josh’s expression turns soleesture makes me recall that, once upon a time, she was in love with St Clair

"You okay, Mer?" he asks

"I a, a long one filled with memories She pulls away first "Sorry," she says "You’ll have to forgive onna head back to the hostel" But Meredith is definitely not beat She’s bowing out to let us talk She’s choosing to be alone – on a night that ive us a chance at…I’ain," I say And I et too sad I’ain so "See you tomorrow, Josh," she shouts

Josh’s hands are in his pockets, and his shoulders are up to his ears "She’s notSorry about that"

"It’s okay She’s really nice"

"She is"

"All of your friends are nice"

He looks at lad you think so"

We’re quiet The snow falls softly against his dark hair

"So," I say

"So" He glances at his feet "Can I walk you home?"

My body flushes "Yes Please Thank you" I look away, e to say it aloud, we choose a route towards the dorm that will have fewer people We walk in silence The flakes are getting fatter The hush should feel peaceful, but the nervousness inside of ht I think I rong about hi about myself We don’t say a word until we reach the dorether, it was ours Now it’s only ain, and I can be brave, too

"Would you…" I say

Josh watches me He waits for me to finish the question He wants me to say it

"Do you wanna come inside?" I ask "And talk?"