Page 19 of A Sky Full Of Stars

Oh. I should have known her kind words were too good to be true.

I understand where she’s coming from…to a degree. She wants me to be her legacy. She wants people to rememberthe Swinton name for years to come. But she seems to ignore the fact that she hasn’t danced for decades and peoplestillremember her. She doesn’t need me. I’m likely to bring the name down more than anything.

Not that I tell her that.

“You’re right,” I say, knowing better than to argue even if it pains me. “Thank you.”

She doesn’t need to know that I’m still holding out hope. There’s always a chance I could be invited to audition again after I graduate, but it’s unlikely, and Gran knows it.

“It’s time to focus all your energy on working toward your Jaiton audition in a year or so. Maybe it’s worth considering schools in New York. You could complete your junior and senior years there.”

I nod and smile, as Gran’s eyes flash to my mom’s, making sure she’s on board with that idea, but of course she is. They’ve always been plagued by financial issues, so if Gran’s funding my future, it takes the pressure off them. I just have to hope I can convince them to give me one more chance at staying—that sending me away isn’t what I want, and no matter how much relief it brings them, it’s not necessarily the right thing to do.

With all eyes on me, I try hard to project a happiness I’m not feeling, and of all the people I wish would notice, it’s only Luke that cuts in, throwing himself under the bus once more. “Gran, you should come to one of my games,” he says, his eyes briefly flashing my way. “Let me show you what it’s all about.”

Gran laughs before making excuse after excuse until my issues are long forgotten, and she’s moved on to chat with my mom.

I offer Luke a grateful smile, and he winks in return but there’s a sadness to it. He’s always stuck up for me when it comes to Gran, but it’s usually a game to him. This feelsdifferent. Maybe he’s struggling with thoughts of his future just as much as I am.

By the time we get home, after a long lunch, I’m wrecked. All I can think about is turning on some music and going to bed, but before I’ve grabbed my headphones there’s a tap on my window, making me pause.

With a laugh, I wander over. I’m certain it’s Luke up to no good, but when I peer through the curtain, no one’s there. I slide open the window to check just in case and a package falls to the rooftop with a hard thud, making me startle. When I look again, I find a haphazardly wrapped present—for me—and my thoughts drift back to Luke, thinking he’s finally giving me the hat I so desperately wanted. Only the shape isn’t right for that, and there’s no way he would have bothered with wrapping paper.

Leaning over, I stretch out, the tips of my fingers just reaching the parcel to get it into my hands, my mind whirring with possibilities.

There are only two people that have ever made a comment about the easy access to my room from my parents’ balcony. First was Luke, when he asked Mom and Dad to nail the window shut so I couldn’t sneak anyone in here—like that would ever be a thing—and the second was Melissa, but she gave me a present yesterday.

There’s no note, but when I open the wrapping and see what’s inside, I don’t need one.

A nervous giggle escapes me as I stare down at the book in my hands—a pristine copy ofA Walk To Rememberby Nicholas Sparks. I know who it’s from, and God, my heart races.

Thomas gave me a birthday present. Thomas knocked on my window. Thomas just made my year.

And then he walked away without letting me thank him.

What’s that about?

Chapter Seven

Thomas

I’m not sure what prompted me to drop a present off for Lainey. Even now it feels highly inappropriate. But when Luke mentioned it was her birthday, an idea popped into my head and I couldn’t shake it.

I haven’t been able to get her broken expression out of my mind since I walked away from her, and I kind of hate that I can’t do anything about it. That I can’t just knock on the door and ask if she’s okay. I can’t even ask Luke. While he’s pretty laid-back about almost all aspects of his life, he takes two things seriously—football and the bro code. And the most important rule—stay away from your friend’s sisters…orbrothers for that matter.

He’s always had my back when it comes to that rule, calling out a few of our friends just because they’ve looked at Summer the wrong way. I can’t imagine what he’d do if it was Lainey. He’s never had to worry because she didn’t attend our school.

Not that I’m thinking about Lainey that way. She’s only just turned sixteen, and I barely know her. But if I asked about her, Luke would jump to that conclusion, and I’m not sure how to explain it. I don’t really understand it myself. I just know that I can’t stop thinking about her.

Summer’s sitting at the kitchen counter eating breakfast when I head downstairs the next morning, and as I sit down beside her, she glances my way with a sassy grin.

“What’s that look for?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

“Okay, it’s a little something,” she teases, holding her finger and thumb an inch apart.

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