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Don’t worry, Paige I didn’t see a thing

We’re about halfway back to the house, the only sound a co coe finally talks "I hate bullies," she says, her eyes staring straight out the front

"Me too," I say, keeping ht She never turns to look atat her I know she can feelto take me in once or twice from the side But she lets me look, and she doesn’t elaborate on her statement I don’t ask, but I wonder as the bully in her life--andto Sally’s for dinner I thoughtto answer her call, but I’ to campus, and I have to pass the row of frat houses There are always people hanging outside, and I’d rather be busy on the phone than run into someone I know

"Oh, uh I had a feeling that the progress we ot to school Maybe she just wants to thank uys "I would love to, but I can’t I have…plans…" I fade my words at the end, suddenly worried I’ve said tooShe doesn’t know ," I add quickly, straightening h the phone, as if she could see me

"Oh, okay Maybe…maybe later this week?" she asks I feel bad

"For sure," I say, looking toon one of the front porches They watchto the others; I’er, but I also letaround, boys, but you’re welcooodbye, and I push lad that I was able to stretch h to make it to campus I pull the folded cas I’ve highlighted I walk to the first two, relieved when I realize how close they are to each other They’re different fros I went to last se lost I move to the last one,now At least the class is in the late ht

Satisfied that I can find inthe library when I see Houston sitting on one of the concrete blocks outside the main doors I stop immediately I’m not sure why I stop, but I do, because he’s here, and I have a feeling he’s here waiting forfor me

I pull outhere?

I wait and watch as he pulls his phone out of his pocket, then gets to his feet, looking in all directions until he spots me His shoulders slump, and he pulls his phone up in both hands in front of hi while he walks slowly incao home and see the house empty, or freak out or…can we just talk in 15 seconds?

I’ slow steps backhen I hear his voice

"Paranoid much?" he asks

"Stalker much?" I say back He smirks, then pushes his phone back into his pocket

"Mya carnival Leah found out, so she wanted to go I just dropped her off with my mom, but I didn’t want you to think we abandoned you, so…" he says, holding his hands out as if he just perforic trick and appeared here in a puff of sh pursed lips

"Uh…yeah, I guess," he says

"I don’t need rescuing," I fire back, pulling my purse overit I want to go ho a deep breath We start to walk back in the direction of his place, and I rehat just happened in my head I may have overreacted a little

"Sorry," I say, under my breath "I’m a little…stressed, maybe?"