Looking down at her plate, she pushed around her pasta with a fork, avoiding my gaze.

“Audrey. Did he hurt you?” My words were soft, full of concern. “Did he hit you?”

She flinched, her eyes finally connecting with mine. “N-no.”

Why didn’t I believe her?

“Not physically,” Audrey whispered. “He never laid a hand on me. He just…” She shrugged again. “Can we not talk about it tonight?” She croaked out. “I don’t…”

“Okay.” I placed my hand over hers, squeezing lightly before pulling away. “I’m here, you know? I’ll be your protector any time you need it, Audrey.”

She let out a breath, nodding, some of the tension easing from her body. “Thank you. You’ve always been such a good friend to me, Parker.”

Friend.Fuck. Was that all I was ever going to be?

I’d have to learn to accept it. Friendship with her was better than nothing. At least this way, I got her smiles. Got to be around her sunshine.

DECEMBER

“I can’t believe the semester’s already over,” Audrey said, rubbing her nose on her sweater. “I don’t want to say goodbye again.”

It felt like nine years ago when I’d told her I was moving. “Hey,” I said, placing my hand on her shoulder and speaking softly. “It’s okay. I’m coming back this time. You’ll see me next semester.” I squeezed lightly before taking my hand off of her.

She nodded. “I know." Fiddling with the bottom of her sweater, she looked at the ground. It was the first time since meeting her again that I’d seen her wearing jeans. I wasn’t even sure she owned a pair. The girl was always in dresses with tights or leggings.

“I wish you could come with us on break,” Audrey whispered. She and Ella were heading to Vermont for a ski trip with their friends. Their car was loaded, and we were standing at the back of it, saying goodbye.

“It’s okay. I get it.” I shoved my hands in my pockets to resist touching her. “Besides, my parents would be upset with me if I didn’t come home." I hadn’t gone back for Thanksgiving, either. And spring would be busy enough that I probably wouldn’t see them unless they came down for one of my games.

Given how upset my Dad still was with me about the situation at my last school, I didn’t see that happening. I hadn’t run away, exactly, but sometimes it felt like I had.

My mom was excited to have me home.

“I’ll text you,” I promised. One I wouldn’t break.

She raised an eyebrow. “You said that before.”

I clutched my heart. “I was thirteen and an idiot. Believe me, I regret losing those years of our friendship. But you’re stuck with me now. Besides, who else would I get dinner with?” I cracked a smile.

“True.” She sighed, and then wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tight.

We didn’t touch. Not like this. But I let us have this. I curled my arms around her back, buried my nose in her hair, and inhaled deeply.Strawberries. The smell of her shampoo was addicting.

I stepped back, running my hands through my hair. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Yeah.”

She turned, walking towards the house where I knew Ella was still inside. “Hey, Parker?”

“Hm?”

“Thanks for finding me again.” Her smile was bright. Radiant. She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her violet-hued blue eyes bright.

I chuckled, dipping my head. “Anything for you, Rosie Girl.”

It might have been a coincidence that I’d transferred to her school, but I meant those words. I’d do anything for her. She just didn’t know it yet.

But she would.