. I remembered last year' s school dance. I had been excited, we were supposed to go together, just as friends, like we alw

bringing her punch, talking to her in a corner

me later, with that earnest look on his face

saw it for what it was: a pattern. He was drawn to the performance of vulnerability, the c

n who needed him more dramatically. "You' re my best friend, Ava. You' ll always c

quiet. He tried to get our mutual friends to

to reach you. He says

simple, 'I' m fine.

, they sto

ed past. He was in the center, laughing at something Mark said. Chloe was right beside him, tucked under his arm,

me to come over, to break the silence. Chloe looked from

locker and star

Av

commanding. I ignored

blocking my path. He grabbed my arm. His gri

is voice low and frustrated. "You

iam," I said, my voi

"Why are you being so dramatic about this? So I changed

it. He saw my pain

bout it here," I said, t

mad, but you need to get over it. And make sure you check the application port

y life, even now. He still thou

hat' s go

us. She came up beside him, pl

er wide eyes fixed on me with a look

tion shifted to her. His

hloe. Ava' s just

er, his voice softening. "Are yo

lear. I used the moment of his distraction to pull my arm free and walk away without another word. I didn'