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"He lives in San Diego I’m not even sure if I’ll see him over the break," she says, her focus back to the box of black strappy heels she’s repackaging I hold her gaze, willing her to look atht," I say, taking in a deep breath and exhaling slohile I let o, I wouldn’t even hesitate I’d call her out right in front ofBut now…I’s really going on in people’s heads I decide to let Lexi off the hook, and we step out froet to the next store, thefrom moments before
And then we run into more faular crew--the four of us inseparable only months before Now, they look attheir attention to Lexi, dis on the outside of their very sin the Valley, plans for New Year’s, the state of Lexi’s parents’ ever-crue, and then one of the Curtis to the party, since he’s staying with you," Steph says, only realizing she messed up when the silence practically chokes the other two
I’ve heard when people leave the earth’s atmosphere, there’s a thin layer of space and time where they’re both inside and out--that small moment where they have a chance to stay or to abandon their world behind theo ho my curiosity over why everyone is aard and dismissive toward nizable left Or, I could find that last scrap of me that’s truly es, but by standing up forout with one hell of a fire
"Yes, Lexi," I say, twistingher by surprise She shouldn’t be surprised; she has no idea hoeak I’ve beco Curtis You were just saying how I shouldthe expression on my face, the blaze inback behind ht, but she’s not going to cause a scene She shakes her head with a polite srees with s Lexi fro her in front of ht want some form of affectionate farewell too Relax, Steph I don’t want to hug you either If I did, I’d likely choke you
Lexi walks a few paces in front ofour friends fade into the crowd and eventually another boutique She stops, knowing her tiive her a chance to feed me a line
"Tell me what that was all about Tell me the truth--because you knoill see your lies Tell ht now, because I don’t care if you’re uncoet to put off whatever the hell you can’t seeer," I say, my voice syrupy-sweet as I keep the smile on my mouth for the benefit of the crowded mall around us
Lexi’s posture sluling like they want to hit so, well…not hard anyhow But right noant to punch someone
"We all know," she says finally, and the way she relaxes, the breath leaving her chest in a whoosh, it feels like those words should be enough Soht of that itated Because I don’t know shit And if it’s so I don’t know, then it’s either about my sister or…
"We saw it…" she says, her eyebrows raised as she leans forward towith nerves and fury as I speak
Lexi tugs onus to a s ht next to the one she takes I’with it