Page 15 of Crossing the Line

“Yeah, I remember you’re from PA. I remember because after I saw you, I wondered if all the girls who lived there were as beautiful as you. For the record—they’re not.” He shakes his head. “Anyway, when you transferred to our school, every single guy noticed you. Do you know why?” He stares at me expectantly, but I just shake my head. “It’s because you were the whole fucking package. And I’m telling you right now, your boyfriend is a dumbass.”

I have no idea what to say. That’s easily one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to me—even if the delivery was a little rough. I stare at him with wide eyes, my mind reeling.

Aiden glances around the train, and for the first time, he resembles the Aiden he was in high school—a little less guarded. “That’s all I’m going to say.”

I blink. Eventually, a small “Thank you” escapes my lips, but I’m not even sure if he’s heard me.

“Don’t thank me.”

I frown, swallowing the lump in my throat. “That was still really sweet.”

He leans back in the seat. “Yeah, well, it needed to be said.”

The conversation lulls, and I look back at my phone until I hear Aiden mutter, “Huh.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah.” He says, “I broke a rule. I figured you’d make me go sit next to the cat piss lady or something.”

I choke on my laughter and cover my mouth to try and hold it in. “Shh! Don’t say that so loud!” Lowering my voice, I add, “You smelled it, too?”

His eyes widen. “How could you think I didn’t? I had to hold my fucking breath until we made it over here.”

Ducking low, I shake my head, laughter still bubbling in my throat. “She’s going to hear you,” I hiss as I whack his arm.

“Let’s hope she does.” He has a straight face as he says it, still not lowering his voice, and it only makes me laugh harder. He looks at me, bewildered. “Shit, Claire. Pull yourself together.”

I don’t know why I’m laughing so hard. A few minutes ago, I felt like I was on the verge of tears, but now I’m happy. Well, not happy with my overall situation, but at this moment, I feel better than I’ve felt all night.

Finally catching my breath, I say, “I think you’re wrong, you know.”

He glances at me out of the corner of his eye. “About what?”

“You said guys back then noticed me, but I never had a boyfriend until I went to college.” Garret is the only guy I’ve ever dated, and look how well that turned out. I swallow the bitter taste in my mouth as images of him with Shelly come to mind again.

“I didn’t say they wanted to be your boyfriend. I said they noticed you, and trust me, they did.”

I frown, not sure what he means. Getting lost in my thoughts, I look out the window and try to remember those four years. My dad had just gotten his marketing job in New York City, but we couldn’t afford to live there, so we moved to Beacon instead. I remember Dad saying it was too far, but there was a quaint charm about Beacon that Mom loved. I had hoped that the move would make things better, but my parents still fought. I’ll never understand how two people who hate each other so much can stay married for so long.

Most days, home was the last place I wanted to be, so I spent a lot of time at Violet’s house. It’s not like my living situation was dangerous or anything; my house was just never a happy home. My parents didn’t seem to mind that I was rarely there. They’d set food out for me and leave notes, but I never had to tell them where I was or when I’d be back. They were always more preoccupied with their own problems.

It was hard for me to stay angry with them because, even back then, I knew people who had it worse. There’s nothing like someone else’s problems to put your own into perspective.

After we moved, I remember feeling so nervous about going to a new school, and once I got there, my anxiety only grew. It was clear everyone had grown up together. Groups of friends were already formed, and I found myself feeling like an outsider regardless of who I tested the waters with.

Growing up in Bucks County, the school dynamic was similar. I had my friends from elementary school, so I never really had to think about how to meet new people. I think that’s what made my transition to Beacon so difficult. I was lost until Violet took me under her wing. We did almost everything together for those four years, and considering she’s my roommate now, not much has changed.

The thought reminds me that I should text her and tell her about what happened tonight. She never liked Garret. Knowing Violet, she probably saw this coming a mile away. My fingers tap my phone screen, but then I lock it again. I’m not ready to get into this with her.

Plus, she assumes I’m staying with him this weekend, so I won’t need to explain anything for at least that long.

As I stare out the window, flashes of my high school experience come to mind. I usually didn’t have a date for dances, I never had a boyfriend, and I didn’t get invited to parties. And Aiden said people noticed me? He’s probably just saying things to make me feel better. If that’s the case, I don’t mind. It actually goes against what I was starting to think of him: that he’s an inconsiderate ass.

13

Aiden

Why the hell did I just say all of that to her? I mean, it’s true, but I’m not sure how I feel about her knowing my seventeen-year-old thoughts about her. At least she’s not making a big deal out of it. She’s been staring out the window for a few minutes now, and I’m trying to figure out if I’ve somehow offended her.

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