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I nod, the face I show on the outside a little proud, --and what Houston will think of ot to be the first one to go down the slide, and after that, it became known as her slide She didn’t nae," Cass says I know she’s sharing this because she’s trying to sho proud she is of me But I also sound like a diva "It’s always been like that--the kids at school looking to Paige to see what to do next And if she decided a guy was the it guy, he becairl alanted hie Owen’s exes were still better than any other guy in school"

"So we’re talking like quarterback, ho stuff, huh?" Houston chuckles He’s a

"Yeah, prettywith her mouth open All I feel is eeek, unless of course he was on his way to being a tycoon"

Maybe it’s her laugh that follows that h, but for some reason--at this moment--it strikes me like a cackle It’s harsh, and I feel small

"So as you can see, I’ ht smile, my heart sad to hear how my sister sees me This is how everyone sees e, that’s not what Ihas stopped

I step out from the booth with my purse in my hand and my backpack looped over ht Everything always perfect "Stories about h"

The table falls silent I justThat I’d laugh along with her? Or uess I’ve outgrown being in the mood for it Or maybe it’s the fact that Houston was here for it Maybe…maybe I’ot a lot of ho to head back," I say over my shoulder "Cass, you can buy , disappointed in myself--in the person I am, the person I was, and the person who just let that all play out inside the restaurant My phone chirps, so I pull it fro I’ stories, trying to be funny, but fuck if it didn’t hurt

I’ the corner, ready to walk down the fraternity rohen I stop in my tracks The sidewalks are busy, and for a second, I swear I see Carson walking with Chandra When I focus, though, I realize it isn’t the against mine I push ain

"Sorry, I didn’t mean to just bail like that," I say, still unable toto ht now And ould he want to? "I, uh…I’m an only child So sorry if I’ rivalry?"

A breathy laugh escapestos one of his feet intoto be touched, too It’s betrayingbefore…doesn’tpeople, just sayin’"

I laugh again, this time a little harder, and finally I let myself look at him His eyes are so kind He’s so kind And he sees me so differently

"Yes, you are the Mr November of the Computer-Geek Calendar," I joke Houston quirks an eyebrow and strikes a ridiculous GQ pose Any girl on this campus would turn their head when he walked by In fact, they do--they do all the tiuy, coeek on the inside, his outside is pretty damned opposite He’s a paradox Before I can react, he puts a hand on each ofme to him My heart halts, and I start to look around to see who’s noticing