Page 4 of Dear Rosie

There’s no time to make his mom like me.

There’s no time.

Tears rush down my cheeks.

“P-please don’t leave me.” I clutch my hands in front of my chest, begging him to stay.

Nathan’s expression crumples. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to go.”

My lungs struggle to fill.

This is… this is the worst thing that could happen to me.

“You can’t go,” I choke out. “My dad?—”

My words cut off, my voice failing me.

Like it does every time.

Nathan steps toward me. “What about your dad?”

I shake my head, pinching my eyes shut.

I shouldn’t have said that.

The time I actually open my mouth… the one time I dare to say something… is when Nathan is leaving.

Nathan is leaving me.

My only friend.

That funeral sadness drapes across me. And it makes me feel hot all over.

“Nathan!” His mom’s voice filters through the woods, and I blink in that direction.

It’s time for him to go have dinner with his family.

The night before they leave.

I press my hands against my shirt, over my heart. Pushing to keep it in.

I was late getting here, and now he has to leave.

Forever.

“Rosie.” Nathan steps so he’s right in front of me.

So close.

And so close to becoming out of reach.

He puts his hand on my shoulder. “Does… does your dad hurt you?”

Why now?

Inside, I scream at myself.

Why does this have to happen now?

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