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I stumbled, and Colton’s hand steadied me “At least lean on me, Nell,” he said “Don’t be stubborn”

I stopped, foot lifted slightly Hesitating Considering

“No” I shook his hand off, lowered

It hurt so bad I couldn’t breathe, and that was good It pushed away the guilt Pushed away the hurt in e that Kyle was gone forever Gone Dead Lost

Killed, saving hmy vision to either side I heard Colton’s step beside arette sne and the ripe sweat of exertion Man s, all too fa ti, lances of pain rocketing up nored my parents in the den, who shot to their feet and called my name Colton had followed me in

“She twisted her ankle,” he told the with her,” Dad said I heard the suspicion in his voice as I listened from the top of the stairs

“No problem” I heard Colton’s foot squeak on the marble, then the door open

“I’m sorry for your loss, Colton” My mom’s voice

“Yeah” That was it from hione I hobbled intomyself limp now that I was alone I shut my door and stripped off my dress, my rain-soaked panties, wrapped plastic aroundon uilt

When the water ran lukewarm, I stepped out, toweled off, wrapped myself in my robe and curled on my bed under a pile of blankets The silence in my room was profound

I closed h, bleeding, breath whistling I heard his voice whispering “I love you…I love you…” over and over again, until he had no

I heard my door open, felt the bed dip as Mo hot and wet trickle down my cheek It wasn’t a tear I wouldn’t cry Couldn’t To let it go would be to open my soul It would never stop I would break…just shatter The liquid onout from my ripped and tattered heart

“Nell…sweetheart” Mom’s voice was soft, tentative I felt her shift the blankets and probe od, Nell You need to see a doctor Your ankle is swollen and purple”

I shook hed, sat silent for a long e When I was iced and wrapped, she sat down again

“I didn’t know you knew Colton”