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“Oh, I have the cowboy hat” He thu as we can’t wear hats in school …”

I stare at him, doubly confused “Since when have you ever followed or respected the rules?”

“No idea what you’re talking about Rules are the bedrock of any civilized society Thatabout” He sood boy now”

This is just too ame you’re playin’ here, but—” I blink “Are those pearl snaps on your shirt??”

“One half of the game is called: respect Toby’s need for space, respect his need for figuring things out, respect his feelings and his fears and his reservations” Vann gives uess I’ll keep that a secret Now, if you’ll excuse et to on-time for once” He shoots a wink at me, then pushes away from his car “I’ll see you in chem,” he casually calls over a shoulder

And I’m left there, dumbfounded “This isn’t over!” I shout at his sexy, flannel-painted, tapered back He doesn’t stop “We’re …! I’onna …! You and I have to …!”

Well, who’s the sta idiot now?

Cos from my locker, then head to the office My whole first period, I can barely focus on anything I accidentally run a note all the way to the fish bowl (the adorably nick-nah) instead of the science lab where it was supposed to go Ian entire colus, I don’t even realize where I’lish, where I’ll see Hoyt for the first ti his little secret in front of Julio—the aftermath of which I don’t know

What I encounter at the door to the classrooht in the parking lot

It’s Hoyt and Vann hanging out, s

Hanging out S

Hoyt Vann

Did I wake up in an alternate reality? Did my body shift dimensions in my sleep? Is that why I woke up to a nice stepdad, a brotherly Lee, a country boy version of Vann, and a friendly Hoyt who likes his?