Page 89 of A Pretty Fixation

“I’m so sorry, son.” Dad sits beside me and gripsmy shoulder. “She passed.”

Mom hurries over to hold me. “Sweetheart.”

I hang my head, sobbing for the girl I bonded withat twelve. For the happy memories we made in a little over a month. For the promiseswe never got to fulfill.

I never got to see her again. To show her how muchI’ve accomplished. I didn’t get the chance to give her my love as I am now.Instead, I gave it all to someone else—someone who figured out the truth andlied.

Caleb isn’t replying to my texts, and his phonehas been off since the day before.

I heard that the soccer team won another match andI want to congratulate him. But perhaps he’s exhausted. He might be sleeping infor the day.

It’s strange that he hasn’t called me, though.Since our first run-in, we haven’t gone a day without speaking.

Something feels wrong.

“Jordyn?” Aaron breaks me out of my thoughts.

I refocus. “Yeah?”

“Uh, you good? You seem...” He probably thinks I’mhaving an episode like last time.

“I’m fine.” I manage a smile.“Um,did you see Caleb today on the field?”

A scowl forms as he answers, “No. They don’tpractice the day after a match. Did something happen?”

“No.” I stick my hair behind my ears and look atthe textbook. We’re supposed to be studying for the upcoming test, yet my mindkeeps drifting to Caleb.

Aaron stays quiet for a moment, then he asks,“Who’s Dove?”

My head flies up. “Where did you hear that name?”

“You mumbled it by the trees that day. You seemedupset.”

I stare into space.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t pry.”

“It’s fine. It’s someone from my past. Someone Iwas jealous of and still is now.”

He sniffs. “I find that hard to believe. You haveno reason to be jealous of anyone.”

I shrug. “I disliked Dove for holding all ofCaleb’s attention. At least, that much I recall.”

“So you’re not the girl he thinks you are?”Hearing another person say it aloud makes me feel even guiltier.

I chew at the corner of my bottom lip whileshaking my head. “I’m not.”

“Does he know?” he asks.

“No.” I flick my nails. “I should tell him, butit’s so hard to admit it to Caleb.”

“Because you love him,” he discerns in a low tone.“What do you think will happen when he realizes you’re not her?”

My hair dances on my shoulders with the sway of myhead. “I’m not sure. All I know is I don’t want to lose him. Caleb stole myheart. He makes everything feel better. I love him so much, and his happinessmeans the world to me. I just want to keep him with me.”

His Adam’s apple bobs. “You’re such a beautifulperson inside and out, Jordyn. The sweetest girl I’ve ever met. If Caleb letsyou go for a memory, he doesn’t deserve you.”

I lower my head, hoping that doesn’t happen.

---