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His hazel eyes crinkled at the corners with his half-smile “Inconclusive I can’t tell if this is just another one of his games or if he really is into you”

“Well, no worries because I’m pretty sure I know the answer”

Ethan said nothing to that Instead, he paused and glanced around “Where is he anyway?”

“He left to give Greg and Jereuess he had promised”

Ethan nodded “Wanna leave and go hang out?”

I sighed and glanced around the kitchen I didn’t want to be there when Carson got back Whatever happened between us was over, and Olivia’s words had hit theirI had when Carson was drawing me close, his lips about to crush mine—or my head which told me we never stood a chance We hated each other That’s the way it’s always been Our rivalry was inevitable No use changing that

“Uht You’d better stay, though I know Carson will only be a few minutes, but one of you should be here at your house”

“You’re leaving?” Ethan asked

I knehat he was thinking—Ihoht

“Yeah I think so” I stepped forward and pulled Ethan into a hug, then headed for the door

???

It was the start of winter break Forup late and sleeping in Itup with hot chocolate, a plate of cookies, and shopping, sos no longer seemed to matter At least not like they used to There was no holiday spirit at hoer looked forward to weekends, let alone teeks off school, because itmore time at home Sure, I’d spend aswith some of my other friends, but they had their own families, their own holiday festivities to attend to, ed my reality—that this Christht

I sat in my rooh I hadn’t needed theaveworth fighting over

Usually, I’d call Ethan, but considering my less than stellarhim doithtoo fresh to ignore

I flipped the pages of e preferred using their phone for everything, but I preferred a paper calendar There was sos down, then physically scratch items off a to-do list