Page 73 of Stranded

“And I trust you.”

Alph’s breath rushes out. He curls his hands into fists, and a little smile appears on his face.

“I’ll see you on the other side,” I tell him as a stage hand approaches, no doubt prepared to usher Alph away as we assemble backstage. “Get going.”

“I’ll be here,” Alph promises, low and fierce. “No matter what.”

Then he kisses me, and I’m done.

All I can do is wait.

Sometimes you end up stranded on Maple Island because you need to be saved. And sometimes you have to trust that you’ve done everything you can to save yourself.

It’s time to find out which way the tide is rushing.

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

RONAN

I haveno idea what to expect.

Each classmate heads out to take a bow after their models. Sometimes, the applause is quiet and polite—for my three roommates—and other times, enthusiastic.

Then, they breathlessly stumble backstage with bouquets of flowers, wearing a grin or a weary grimace… and the lights go dark again.

It’s finally my turn.

After all these months, it all comes down to a few minutes that might as well be a few seconds.

Walk… and walk… and walk…

It’s over.

I clasp my hands tightly in front of my chest, waiting. I can barely breathe. I don’t know what people thought. Maybe theydidsave me for last so everyone’s friends and family can leave?—

Then I hear Professor Meyer.

“Ronan Ashfield!”

It’s my cue. My legs are shaking, but my classmates grin and shove me to the gap in the black curtains.

I stumble through, and as I emerge from the dim light backstage into the light, the wave of applause almost knocks me off my feet.

What?

I blink and stumble to a halt, staring breathlessly around. My models are clapping with raised hands, beaming at me.

There’s Alph, standing at the edge of the stage and grinning up at me, holding a bouquet of roses. Behind him, I see my parents—and both of my brothers—standing up to applaud as they watch me with so much pride.

Even Professor Meyer is smiling.

I stumble forward to accept the bouquet of roses in one hand. With the other, I blow Alph a kiss, leaning down to make sure he can hear me. “Alph. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

Alph catches the kiss and presses it against his lips, smiling right back up at me. “You could have,” he tells me over the noise. “But you don’t have to.”

Tears spring to my eyes. I raise the bouquet and bury my face in it, and the applause fades into chuckles and murmurs.

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