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She’s angry, andwith the fact that I’m the reason her bubbly personality has flipped so distinctly on its head isn’t stomach-able

I have to follow her, explain, ht

I have to e understands what I’ve finally coht And forht

Carly

My feet slap against the pavement audibly as I stomp toward my mother’s stupid landoait I cross my arms over my chest and rub at my skin

Suddenly, tonight, Florida feels unusually cold But I guess that’s what flat-out rejection will do to you when you’re not expecting it

I suck my lips into my mouth and will tears not to fall I will not cry over soht jerk I will not cry over sexy Barney Fife I will not cry

It’s dramatic, but at the same time, it’s not at all

I can’t help how I’ht now The only control I have on this situation is holding in all these pent-up eet so

With hts still out, I pick up into a jog and hiccup against the threat of i tears

“Carly!” Ryan yells, his voice coarse like a whisper but loud enough in volume to hear it

I shutthe wrap of co freely to facilitate a faster run

“Wait up!” he i louder with every one of his steps “Carly!”

“No, Ryan!” I hiss without turning around “Just go home, okay? We’ll talk tomorrow”

The tomorrow after never, if I can help it

“I’”

“Well, then, I guess…enjoy your baseless, wandering existence Because I’ht now”