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Ito happen?

“Nothing,” I say now, clenching my fists around the straps of my backpack, then turn on my heels and head upstairs I shutto Chloe’s na I have no idea what to tell her God, there’s probably not even anything to tell I’ this way out of proportion,of a deal After all, it’s not like some creepy perv forced himself on me in a dark, deserted alley It’s Bex

It’s Bex

And he kissed me

And maybe I wanted him to, in a way? Except also, I didn’t

I’ my phone like a weapon when suddenly it buzzes init skitter across the carpet like it’s got a ain before finally getting a grip, Jacob’s na across the screen We’re supposed to ht, I re out with all our friends

“U how fake and squeaky my voice sounds “Hoas your practice?”

“It eso, convoluted story about Joey and Ah up the locker room thatfroround

“What about you, huh, babe?” he asks finally “What are you up to?”

“U a million infinitesimal calculations in the space of a couple of seconds I can picture hi wheel and everything in his life exactly the sa out”

“You sure?” Jacob asks “You sound weird”

“I do?” I don’t knohat it uess”

I can’t decide if I’, as usual

“Take a nap,” he suggests cheerfully “I’o home and take a shower and then I’ll come pick you up for dinner, okay?”

I glance across ht of th mirror on the back of the door—htly wild expression on my face