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I try not to think about the club incident again Because when I do, I feel like a coward Why did I run? Julian had barely touched e reaction I had been turned on, but ridiculously frightened at the sahts are restless Instead of drea hot and uncoes invade ht about before A lot of it involves Julian doing so to me, usually while I’ crazy

Pushing that disturbing thought out of raduation is today, and I’ plans for after the cereraduation party at his house It will be the perfect opportunity to finally talk to hiown It’s si offraduation cereht

My parents drive hto a local coe because it’s cheaper that way, so I’ll still be living at ho well They give ood kid, never getting in trouble They’re ht Other than the fake IDs and the occasional clubbing excursions, I lead a pretty sedate life No heavy drinking, no sh I did try pot once at a party

We arrive and I find Leah Lining up for the ceremony, ait patiently for our names to be called It’s a perfect day in early June--not too hot, not too cold

Leah’s name is called first Luckily for her, her last name starts with ‘A’ My last name is Leston, so I have to stand for another thirtyclass is only a hundred people One of the perks of living in a so to receiveout onto the crowd, I smile and wave to my parents I’m pleased that they look so proud

I shake the principal’s hand and turn to go back to ain

My blood freezes inme I can feel his eyes on me, even froe without falling My legs are tre is much faster than normal I take a seat next to my parents and pray that they don’t notice my state

Why is Julian here? What does he want fro a deep breath, I tell myself to calm down Surely he’s here because of soraduating class Or so to myself

I remember that possessive touch, and I know he’s not done with ht

I don’t see hiain after the ceremony, and I’m relieved Leah drives us to Jake’s house She and Jennie are chattering the entire way, excited to be done with high school, to start the next phase of our lives

I would normally join in the conversation, but I’ Julian, so I just sit there quietly For so him in the club I only said that I had a headache and wanted to go home

I don’t knohy I can’t talk to Leah about Julian I have no probleuts about Jake Maybe it’s because it’s too difficult for me to describe how Julian htens me

I don’t really understand ite arrive I am still resolved to talk to Jake, but I’ Julian earlier I decide that I need so and pourit, I determine that it definitely has alcohol, and I drink the full cup

Almost immediately, I start to feel buzzed As I had discovered in the past few years, my alcohol tolerance is virtually nonexistent One drink is just aboutto the kitchen, and I follow hi away some extra cups and dirty paper plates

"Do you want some help with that?" I ask

He s at the corners "Oh, sure, thanks That would be aweso and flops over his forehead,him look particularly cute

IJulian way, but in a pleasantly comfortable sense Jake is tall andenough to play ball in college, or at least that’s what Jennie once toldso up the punch that had spilled on the floor The entire tiht?" Jake says, looking at ht"

"That’s really aweso parties, but the cleaning is always a bitch the next day So now I try to clean a little during, before it gets really nasty"