Page 59 of Wonderstruck

This was crazy. I couldn’t leave this class. The thought was laughable.

But the longer I sat there, letting the idea spin into something real, I imaginedwhat it would be like if I wasn’t here anymore. Not just this class, but Liberty Grove altogether. But all that led me to was more questions.

Would I still see the girls? Or Jess? Or Tristan? Would Finn want to hangaround with me? And what would happen if the whole skating thing fizzled out in a few months and I’d unknowingly thrown away my one shot at having a good, stable life?

I looked back down at my screen and typed away.

i don’t think i got enough sleep. this is insane.

the only thing that’s insane is you denying yourself the space to really figure out what you want.

you really believe that?

100%. and hey, if it turns out what you want is to live a life devoted to ruining the lives of the ones who have wronged you, i’ll happily be your ride.

In an instant, my cheeks heated.

thank you.

anytime. and rory?

yeah?

ice believe in you.

you’re the worst.

admit it. you smiled.

maybe.

knew it.

This goddamn smile would not leave myface. I had to change the subject.

but how are you? how’s your non-sucky life?

still just as sucky. i’m just leaving my class now.

how long do you have left of yours?

I looked up at the clock and my heart sank.

another 52 minutes

Two minutes went by without a response. I wasn’t surprised though, seeing asthough the walls were made of the thickest stone. The service was so patchy—

My phone vibrated, and my eyes flew tomy screen.

hang on.

I arched my head forward, so far that my forehead was practically resting onthe table. What the hell did that even mean—

“Aurora? Care to weigh in on thisdebate? Or is whatever is in your lap moreinteresting to you?”

Well, shit.

I blinked away the dryness of my eyes, thesting distracting me enough from thehalf dozen heads that are twisted in my direction.“Umm, absolutely. Dying to weigh in.” Irushed as I slipped my phone away, forcingout a laugh as I pulled my glasses up the bridge of my nose. I squinted my eyes to try and make out my professor's impossible handwriting, before making out the words ‘estate’, ‘deceased’ and ‘wills’.

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