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“If only growing up were that easy And my little brother is thirteen—well—fourteen now” The sht inside our tent

“Does he live nearby?”

“No, he’s at boarding school in Illinois”

Boarding school Wow, she came from one of those families

“Is it the same school you went to?”

“No Not even close He’s there on a scholarship—well, he was They changed his financial aid package” Frustration leaked from her words

So, not one of those families at all

“It’s hitting your parents hard?”

She let out a huht realize he’s gone before he graduates”

Silence reigned between us Sadness and anger brewed in each second

“That sucks Do they live around here?”

Even more silence Maybe I’d pushed her into territory she didn’t feel like going over with the guy who’d clobbered her with a paint bath earlier today

My eyes adjusted to the darkness With her lips parted, a finger-traceable outline of her face was backlit against the low light on the other side of the tent Beside her in bed, there was a tug deep down, tapping into so I’d never felt before She was already out cold Dark spots speckled her hairline against her skin

Flipping on my s

ide, I shoved ainst my chest