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I reach out and squeeze her araze is soft and warain when she looks atat her, we’re that sa her off after a dance, just having kissed her goodbye She’s so very much a part of me And yet, e are to one another is so different now It’s important all the same

"You love her?" she asks, and at first, I’, but because of everything that she’s just been through Because it doesn’t feel fair for er I look at her, the longer I think, the cal Theformyself to be happy and smile cautiously in front of my heartbroken best friend She wouldn’t want me to be fake

"Good," she says, and I know she means it Her smile looks sad, but only for her own loss "You should let her know that"

"I’ood at…you know…sayin’ h is fast and raspy, and she looks to the side while she shakes her head and leans back fro thefra both hands flat along the door panel, patting theood at the mushy shit"

Her hands slip froI oodbye before pulling her ar her body She doesn’t break stride, doesn’t pause at the door, doesn’t let any of it show in front of her fa’s fine for a few

She’ll be okay

I convince myself she’ll be okay

Chapter 25

Cass

The neas spreading all over the caot back to school

ASSOCIATE FACULTY MEMBER FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST SCHOOL FOR WRONGFUL TERMINATION

I read the story a thousand times No mention of my name No mention of his assault either A few quotes fro points that only circle the story, but never really saying anything The closest anyone gets to the truth is when one faculty member uses the word accusations Yes, someone made an accusation--based on an assault Student reporters don’t dig as deeply as they should A little legould have turned up my police report But they only worked off of the tip they received, probably froer state--the h for me as it is

The plane ride here was just as quiet as the one going And Paige didn’t try to fix things e got to ca for herself with that And I’lad

In the meantime, I’ve come back to a lonely dorm room Rowe left Nate and Ty’s parents’ house in the middle of the holiday Her ex-boyfriend--the one as barely living on life-support--died Nate’s not talking about it at all, and he’s been co most of his tio well, that Rowe is extreuess Nate knew about it before she did; so him to keep it a secret until she was done with finals

They

Theydecisions for you, taking things out of your control Butto do

I textback, that she isn’t leaving one dark And with teeks left including finals, I worry that Ithrough my door with a pizza on his lap I skippedthe energy

"I know, I’ a little zapped today," I say, not really sure if it’s my body, the stress, or et one pass But the next ti open the box and pulling a slice out on a napkin The slorious, and for the first tiry