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“There’s only one way to find out if the ruie and pull my phone out of my back pocket

I talk a good gairl who bats her eyes in his direction doesn't bother a shy of hell I live for the ether

“Lee” I beam at the nickname I’ve used since before I could form real words The nickname no one else is allowed to utter I holdto record our conversation for the school paper I don’t actually write for I take pictures that never get used, but the extracurricular looked good on e applications “Comment for the paper?”

Liarin My heart flutters as his eh school has been his playground because, not only does his personality deood looks attract it

While Liaod of a man the past few years, I, unfortunately, stayed the same lanky beanpole I’ve been since middle school

My boobs carade but they forgot they were supposed to keep growing; h cushion not to hurt the chair; and ured out that when I spend forty-fiveevery product known to man in it, it’s supposed to stay pretty I blame the Florida heat for that last one

Most days I look like a pubescent boy who stuck his finger in a light socket At least, that’s what the popular girls tell , wordlessly re the same air as them

“Only for you,” he declares Always for me

“Elaine,” Corah purrs with a chastising smile

I hate her I hate her perfect hair and toned body I hate how Liam’s muscles flex beneath the sleeve of his shirt when he pulls her close Most of all, I hate that she’s at his side while I’ to remind her, and me, that I am important

“Football season is over What could the paper possibly need to know about ers and pulls his lips to hers The kiss, while quick, is strategic A show of power on her part I oing to let , he’s all hers

My stoot a girlfriend, keeping our interactions to lunch and the confines ofhim with soether, Lainey “Ruether Tell me how that happened”

Liam pulls back from Corah’s embrace and narrows his ember eyes on me He knows this conversation won’t make it into the paper This is forquestions, but I want to hear the truth straight frogie is wrong

“I asked She said yes”

“Don’t be les She leans into hiainst his chest Corah s her knife deeper intosalt with each detail I’ve yet to hear “If the people want to know, let’s tell them”