Page 40 of When October Starts

“Has Ezra treated you right all this time?” she asked quietly.

I felt tears sting my eyes just hearing her say his name, and I wished there were easier things to talk about. “He was good to me. He cared, and he showed me how much he loved me every time we were together.”

Aggie knew that what Ezra and I had wasn’t forced upon me. I opened up to him willingly, wanting to get closer each damn day. “I’m sorry this had to end like this…but things happen for a reason, and I know you believe in that just as much as I do, hm?”

She was right, but I hadn’t found the reason why he was gone yet. “He said he would come back when I’m eighteen, but I’m not sure how I can live without him for that long.”

“Maybe some time apart isn’t so bad. You have plenty of time to think, to reflect on what happened and what you want to happen in the future. I’m not saying that you might change your mind about him, but it’s a possibility. I want you to be happy, Juni. If it’s Ezra who makes you feel like there’s no other person you’ll ever love, then I’m sure this time apart will pass in the blink of an eye.”

I hoped she was right. No matter how angry I was at myself, and no matter how upset he made me for leaving, I knew I would stand there on October first, waiting for him on the island.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Juno

It was the last day of June, and fifty days had passed since I last heard Ezra’s voice. I was still deeply in love with him, but being away from each other really helped me deal with all the pain he left me behind with.

Aggie was right when she said that some time apart from him might help me, and it did.

It was summer, and I had just received the results from my finals. I graduated successfully, and there was nothing holding me back from going to Lakewood College in late August. I was excited, and I tried to concentrate on getting all my stuff together that I needed.

“Juno?” Pixie’s voice surprised me, and I turned to look at her as she peeked her head through our front door. I was sitting on the couch, reading a book, not expecting her to come by.

“Mind if I come in?” she asked.

I shook my head and set the book down, then watched her walk into the living room. Pixie sat down on the other couch, and by the look on her face, I knew she was here to apologize.

“How’s your head?” she asked slowly.

“Fine.”

“How many stitches did you need?”

“Four.”

She sighed and gave me an apologetic look. “I’m really sorry for pushing you. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I guess I was just…confused.”

I studied her face. Somehow, I didn’t feel like talking about that day. It still haunted my dreams.

“I know you’re upset because he’s gone,” she said quietly. “Maybe we can talk about it. I wanna…understand what was going on between you two.”

“I fucked my teacher. I think that’s simple enough, isn’t it?” I didn’t mean to be such a bitch, but my anger was slowly rising, and I couldn’t control it.

Pixie looked at her hands and nodded. “I get it. You’re still mad at me. You have every right to be. I didn’t know what to do, Juno. I was shocked, but now I realize that I have taken something away that meant a lot to you. Please don’t shut me out. You’re still my best friend,” she said hopeful.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked away.

“If I could turn back time, I would keep your secret safe. I wouldn’t say a word.”

“A little too late for that,” I muttered, keeping my eyes on the fireplace.

“I know.” Another sigh escaped her, and she seemed to struggle to find the right words. “I’m really trying here, Juno.”

I kept quiet for a while, the moved my gaze to meet hers again. “We fell in love months ago, and I miss him,” I told her. “Getting caught was inevitable. I think I knew that, just didn’t wanna accept the truth.”

I took a deep breath, then looked down at my hands. “He’s the love of my life.”

“I really wish I reacted differently. Maybe…if I had known—”

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