Page 50 of The Misfit

Salem makes me want to stay.

Makes me want to sit inside the discomfort, especially if it means I get to be beside her.

To figure it out.

To be brave.

Even if I have no idea what I’m doing.

Especially then.

TWELVE

salem

I adjustmy gloves as I leave the Science building, focusing on the familiar nitrile squeak instead of the curious stares that follow me. Three weeks into being Lee Sterling’s fakegirlfriend and I haven’t got used to the extra attention. I guess I should be grateful. At least now when people stare at me, it’s with curiosity and not cruelty.

My phone buzzes with Lee’s morning text—something he started doing to help with my routine. It’s hard not to smile at my phone.

Lee:Good morning, Pantry Girl. Everything’s clean and counted and waiting for you. As always.

I try to remind myself that the warmth in my chest from receiving that text isn’t real. Just like the way he kisses me in public, or how he remembers exactly how many times to sanitize his hands, or how he’s learned all my patterns, taking them on like they’re his own.

It’s all an act. All of it.But it doesn’t feel like it.

I still can’t believe he’s kept this up for three weeks. That someone like Lee is willing to count ceiling tiles with me and carry sealed water bottles and make sure every surface is clean before I touch it. I can’t even imagine how exhausting that must be. I mean, it’s exhausting for me, so I can’t imagine trying to pretend.

“Salem! Wait up!!”

I freeze at the sound of my name and turn just in time to find Aries jogging toward me. I know him only through Lee, as he and Aries are best friends. Go figure he’s as polished as always, with designer clothes, perfect hair, and a winning smile.

He’s never said or done anything to make me uncomfortable, but something just pings in my brain when he’s near. Not like with Lee. It’s something I haven’t been able to put my finger on.

“Hey, what’s up?” I ask once he’s closer.

“Lee asked me to get you,” he says, coming to a stop precisely three feet away. He’s clearly noticed how I am about personal space. “He’s stuck in some family meeting bullshit, but he asked me to bring you to him.”

I clutch my bag a little tighter. “I can just meet him later?—”

“He insisted.” Aries’s smile widens. “Wouldn’t want his girl wandering around campus alone, would he? Especially with Marcus Chen still causing trouble.”

The mention of Marcus makes me flinch. Just yesterday, he’daccidentallyknocked my books out of my hands, scattering my organized notes everywhere. I'm sure only Lee’s sudden appearance prevented worse from happening.

“Besides,” Aries continues smoothly, “what kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t look after you?”

He has a point. Lee does trust him—they’ve been inseparable since freshman year. Never mind how protective Lee has gotten since the Marcus incident. It’s not surprising that he’d ask Aries to accompany me somewhere.

With a sigh, I tell myself that I’m being paranoid, and that this is merely Lee continuing his protective boyfriend position. Locking eyes with Aries, I ask, “Okay, where is he?”

“Not far.” Aries’s laugh soundsalmostgenuine. “He’ll be happy to see you.”

“I hope so,” I murmur as we start walking, my steps falling into place beside his while I maintain my three-foot bubble of space.

I try to ignore the small things, like how Aries’s smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes and how his demeanor appears to grow more excited now that I’ve agreed.

One step at a time.

Two messages I should probably send Lee.

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