Page 58 (1/1)

"Want to cross?" I ask We both need the distraction "The bridge We can cross it"

She surveys the wooden planks across the aps exist between the planks and there’s a narrow strip of h to balance on There’s no railing on either side

Breanna leans over the edge, no doubtwater and o with me?"

I shouldn’t do it I should tell her we’ve completed our project and we’re done for the day, but instead I offer herwith the devil

She closes the space between us, and the rasp her hand and lead her onto the bridge

Breanna chooses the narrow strip ofwooden planks The wood cracks under ht and Breanna holds on to h into the river "Walk on the er that makes it fun"

She shakes her head, but I spot a smile Guess she doesn’t want to ade--why she’s with irl as on the dance floor at Shairl full of life and searching for a challenge

When we’re halfway across, she hesitates and scans the length of the river She squints In the distance beside a canopy of trees is the bridge of Highway 109 I step onto the irder

Breanna’s eyes widen, and I see the puzzle pieces fall into place She’s quick, and while I normally adnored the clues

"My mom died in this river," I say, to answer her silent question My mouth curves down and the horrible pain from that day covers me like a shroud

"Why do you coh this?"

How many times have I asked myself the same question? I could say I experience a connection to Mom here, but I don’t I come because "I need answers"

"What type of answers?"

"How she died" My states and for the millionth time I wonder if it had been calhts peaceful or chaotic? Was there a screeching of tires or did Mo off the road as a way to fly into freedom?

"The club told me it was an accident and I said I believed them, but I don’t" I’ve never told anyone that and I speak slowly, like the words ht setMy s were bad"

Day after day, hour after hour, heartbeat after heartbeat my mind sith the questions and doubt She left h

Myto a single thought that doesn’t cause e, onto the grass, and pause by the river I expect Breanna to walk past, to flee, to leave It’s what people do It’s whatwith a harem of women after Mom’s death He may have been in the sa still and daainst the h, I say, "I’ll get you hos with the unexpected iainstainst ainst my chest "I’m sorry about your edthat shows affection Just hugged I hugged Violet last night, but she didn’t hug ed me? Mytwo feet between us, and here is this little warrior trudging into battle without armor

Terrified I’ll break her, I weaveher back My eyes shut when she settles further into me I rest my cheek on her head and simply breathe

"I’m sorry about your mom," she repeats "I’m sorry about what everyone has said about you, and I’m sorry everyone’s words have rance and enjoy the rare enuine emotion fills her eyes "It’s not None of this is okay Your mom, the people at school, the people in this town, none of it is okay"

Breanna ss and her delicate throat moves "It’s like this town is diseased Gossip and ru with everyone’s lives Soers through her flowing hair, tucking it behind her shoulder I’ er feel like she’s drowning, and h for a ," she says "But then I met you And you’re the person this entire town has trashed, a person belonging to the group I’ve been raised to believe is evil, and you’re the only person who is able to make me feel as if every part of me is beautiful"