Page 40 of The Cruelty of Thorns

“Oh, Ron. I’m so sorry.”

He offered a sad smile. “Like you, I didn’t completely process it. I was only eleven and couldn’t understand why someone so young had to die. I guess you could say I got angry and acted out. Luckily my parents were patient with me. But I still…I don’t talk about her.”

I smiled at him and felt my heart suddenly swell. He did understand.

He squeezed my hand again. “Just between us?”

I nodded. “Just between us.”

“Good.” He took a deep breath and his eyes lightened. “Okay, enough baring our souls for one day. Want to go over to the library after this and help me study?”

“Sure,” I grinned, relieved to be talking about something else. “What are you working on?”

“Well, my grade isn’t the best in literature so I’m thinking I need to take Edmonds up on that extra credit offer and write a paper on one of those monster topics. I could use your help getting it started.”

I hadn’t planned on writing one myself, but I was more than happy to help Ron with his. “I’d like that. Did you finish the book?”

He shook his head. “I spent my free period this morning reading, but I’ve still got about fifty pages to go.”

“That’s not bad.”

“I’m hoping to get it done tonight.”

We chitchatted about class while we finished eating then headed for the library. On the way there we ran into Lisa and Toby.

“How are you feeling?” I asked Lisa.

“Better. I hear I have you to thank for getting me some help.”

“I was just worried about you. Sorry I couldn’t stay myself, but I was running late to class.”

“That’s okay. I appreciate you letting Kristin know. I was just so out of it.”

I wanted to ask her if the hospital had found the reason for her blood loss, but Toby seemed anxious to leave.

“We’ve got to go, babe,” he insisted.

“We’re on our way to see the doctor right now for a follow up,” Lisa explained as he pulled her toward the parking lot.

“I’m glad she’s okay,” I said to Ron after they were gone.

“Yeah, Toby’s been kind of stressed out since she was taken to the hospital.”

“He must care for her a lot.”

“They’ve been dating off and on since last year, but I think this time it’s serious. I’ve never seen him like this. He hasn’t slept since it happened.”

“Is Toby your roommate?”

“Yeah. You didn’t know that?”

“No, I just, well, to be honest, I don’t know a whole lot about you outside of class and what you told me last night.”

He quirked a brow at me. “You mean Kristin hasn’t given you the lowdown on everyone?”

Before I could stop myself, I blurted, “I know you went out with her last year.”

If he was bothered by the comment, he didn’t let on. We had arrived at the library and ducked inside, making our way toward a table in the back before he answered me. “Yeah, that wasn’t meant to be.”

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