Page 108 of Faking Forever 1
fishing boots. He must’ve kept them here for himself. In a way, hewasa fish boy when it came down to his hobbies. But he’s the cutest fish boy around, even while we’re scrambling for safety.
“Sit here,” he says, muffled under the towel, patting the empty spot on the bench beside him, “sit.”
“It’s too bad we don’t have a couch. Better yet—a bed.”
Sitting on the wooden bench, I huff and grab a towel from his lap for my hair.
“You sure know how to make a situation feel less shitty.”
he chuckles, pulling his towel from his head, looking at me.
“Wha—I’m just being honest, dude. A nice blowup mattress would be cool, too.” I shrug, drying my under eyes before squeezing at the ends of my hair with a smirk.
The storm was a lot quieter from where we were sitting. It was much more peaceful than hearing howling and crashing.
I could finally have a sense of silence.
“So I guess your phone is done for too, huh?” he asks me, leaning back against the empty wall.
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“Yep.” I nod, staring blankly at the floor.
“Someone will have to find useventually. At least we’re safe for the night. If we’re lucky, this will all be over before daylight.” he leans back.
“I don’t care. It doesn’t matter if we’re here for days. I’m not missing anything. I’d be fine with it.” I watch him.
He stays in his position, closing his eyes with a sly smile.
“Yeah—okay.”
“I could, seriously.”
“Sure.”
His charm is more than admirable, but it also reminds me of how difficult he is.
“I love you, you know?” I tap his arm, getting his attention.
He opens his eyes again, slowly turning his head at me, “I love you too. You’re confusing me, and I don’t have much time todecipher where this is all going. Plus, your dad is freaking me out.”
My chin drops to my chest. That blew up quickly. I always knew I was also tricky, though. I hate that he’s pointing it out.
“I know. I’m sorry. I get it if you aren’t as into me as before.”
I nod, preparing myself for rejection.
“Paisley, would you relax? I said you’re a little hard to read.
That doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep reading.” he leans forward, nearing himself to me.
He then rests a leg on my thigh, squeezing it.
“Let’s not talk about it right now. C’mere.”
After this day, I second that. I don’t want to talk about anything at all. I’m still trying to accept that I’ll be gone again soon, and all of this will cease to exist in my daily life. I’ve pissed off my father, along with possibly my brother, and who knows if my mom still wants me around for the remainder of 263
