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“Iyes,” Mr DioGuardi ad—”

“So it aly”

For a ue, but in the end he just sort of sags

“I’m sorry, Marin,” he says, the words as stiff and aard in his on “I know you’ve been through a lot these last couple of months”

It’s not exactly stellar, as far as apologies go, and it turns out that I don’t actually give a shit if he’s sorry or he’s not I told the truth Bex is gone And Chloe and I are friends again All told, I could have done worse “Thanks,” I say, cool as a glass of ram’s iced tea on the hottest day of summer “I appreciate that”

Once he’s gone I look around the hallway, then back at Chloe Her expression is a shocked, delighted o to the diner for breakfast?” I ask her “Just you and me?”

“You know,” Chloe says thoughtfully, “I think that is the best idea I’ve heard all year”

We link ar lot The sun is warm on the back of my neck

Thirty-Seven

I go by Sunrise after school on Friday and find Ca quietly to herself while she fills out some paperwork Her Crocs are hot pink today, her scrubs printed with toucans and flaos An enormous Dunkin’ iced coffee sweats at her side

“I’ve got so around inout an Amherst T-shirt

Camille’s mouth drops open “Oh, Marin, you didn’t have to do that!”

“A pro “I’m just sorry it’s not from Brown”

“Are you kidding?” she says Her grin is wide and white “I’m so proud of you, honey” She raises her eyebrows “Are you proud of yourself?”

I consider that for a moment “You know,” I say finally, “I actually really am”