Page 20 (1/2)

Before Violet and Luke head inside, Violet nudges Ryler in the back then whispers sohtly stiffens as she vanishes into the apart the two of us alone Quietness swirls around us and stretches into aard silence

Ryler starts patting his pockets, searching for soarettes He see a cloud of sh

"So about yesterday and the other day," the cigarette dangles fro into the air, "I’m sorry I didn’t try to co me about those papers It’s just that there’s usually no point in trying since hardly anyone kno to sign My silence probably weirded you out"

"No, I wasn’t weirded out" I wipe s "I just… I never meant to throw those papers out theOkay, well, technically I did, but I didn’t think anyone was out there" I chew on es, and I never meant for anyone to see thearette, leaving it in his lips while he signs "I never read them"

"Can I have them back?" I ask, hopeful

He nods without hesitation "Of course Just let et theht on h ht"

"And you just ain, this tiht?"

"I’aze I’ shorts and a shirt, no shoes or jacket, and I feel extre up

I nod "My parents wanted et out ofa couple of su, despite the fact that I just told him more about me than I’ve ever told anyone, at least with honesty Ifme back home to lock me up then throay the key

"So, you’re a fresho to school?"

He tensely scratches the back of his neck before signing, "My first class ever starts tomorrow But I’e life late"

"That’s okay I wish I could have"

"Skipped out on college?"