Page 27 of Don't Let Me Go
“Oh,” I say, staring down at my chicken sandwich. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to look at Jackson.
“I mean it,” he insists. “You’re a special guy, Riley. You’re smart and you’re funny. And despite the fact that I’m kind of terrified of you, I know you’ve got a big heart. I think any guy would be lucky to be your boyfriend.”
My cheeks are burning so hard, I don’t know what to say.
It’s not like this is the first time I’ve ever received a compliment. My friends and my dad have made similar attempts to bolster my self-esteem over the years, but then they’re legally obligated to tell me what a catch I am.
Jackson, though, isn’t a friend or a parent. Jackson is Jackson. I’ve known him for less than twenty-four hours. His opinion should mean nothing to me. Yet for some reason, his words leave me speechless.
Maybe that’s because they make me believe things about myself that I stopped believing a long time ago.
“Sorry,” Jackson says, noticing my silence. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”
“It’s okay,” I answer once I remember how my mouth works. “And thanks.”
“No problem.” Jackson nods. Then, grinning cockily, he reaches across the table and grabs another handful of fries off my plate. “I was just buttering you up so you’d let me steal your fries.”
“All yours.” I laugh, pushing my plate to him.
“Sweet!”
Jackson beams in excitement, and I can’t help smiling back. I don’t know if he’s right about not giving up on love or about me making a good boyfriend. In fact, I’m pretty sure he’s wrong on both counts. But that doesn’t matter. Right now, I’m okay with settling for being a good friend. Because after a lifetime of saying no, friendship with Jackson is definitely something I can say yes to.
I’m still thinking about Jackson’s words as I crawl into bed later that night. I can’t believe how much I misjudged him. Only yesterday, I was convinced he was trouble, someone to be avoided at all costs. Now I find myself wondering when I’ll get to see him again.
Unfortunately, that won’t be for a while. Tomorrow, Dad begins the one (and only) week of summer vacation he allows himself. We’ll be going to St. Augustine to stay with my grandparents, who have a condo on the beach. It’s a trip I normally look forward to, though right now, I can’t help thinking that the timing kind of sucks.
I wonder if Dad would let me stay here in Orlando without him...
Wait. What am I saying? That’sridiculous.
I can’t bail on our summer vacation because I want to hang out with a guy I just met. Is my self-esteem really so low that I’d abandon myfamily just to spend a few more days with a boy who gave me a couple of compliments?
Granted, they were pretty great compliments. And if you think about it, is it really that crazy to want to spend time with someone who seems determined to see only the best in you?
Who knows? Maybe if I keep hanging out with Jackson, I might actually start to see myself the way he sees me. Because that Riley—the Riley he seems to think I am—sounds like a pretty great guy. I have no clue if he’s real, but maybe with Jackson’s help, he could be.
Could that be why I’ve felt such an intense connection with him since the carnival? Because, for whatever reason, he’s able to see me more clearly than I can see myself? Just like I’m able to see the real him?
Lying in the dark of my bedroom, I smile at that thought and listen to the thunderclouds growling outside. A summer storm is moving in, sending raindrops the size of golf balls splattering against my window. Normally I’d find the noise distracting and wouldn’t be able to sleep, but I must have worn myself out at the rink today because I’m suddenly aware of how exhausted I am.
With a yawn, I close my eyes and listen to theplonk, plonk, plonkof the rain. A heaviness steals across my body, and I feel myself being pulled down into sleep.
I think of Jackson. I hear the storm. And the screams begin.
Pompeii, Italy
(AD 79)
Chapter 11
Lucius
I run.
I run faster than I’ve ever run before as a storm of rocks falls upon the city. Horses shriek, overturning their carts in the streets, and terrified children huddle in doorways screaming for their parents. A voice shouts for everyone to take cover while another orders everyone to abandon the city.
Everything is pandemonium.
