Page 155 of As They Are
Mollie pulled me into a hug. “She sucks, by the way. I thought that the first day I met her.”
“She does,” I replied. “She always had something negative to say.”
She pulled away. “I hope you know that whatever she said was wrong.”
“You don’t even know what she said.”
“I don’t need to, because I knowyou.There’s nothing on this earth you could do to deserve that.”
“Mollie,” I whined, wiping at my eyes. “You’ll make me cry again. You know my eyes get super red.”
“It’s okay if you do. Trust me, people have seen all the bad sides of each other here. You’re safe.”
“It’s nice,” I replied, thinking of Tammy. “Really nice.”
Mollie pulled me into the tightest hug of my life and rubbed my back.
“Uh oh, here comes the boyfriend,” she said as she pulled away. “And he looks worried.”
I nodded as my eyes searched for Henry. He walked up to me, concern written on his face. Never had I experienced so many people being worried about me.
Mollie was gone by the time he arrived. He didn’t seem to notice she’d run off.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Mom stuff,” I replied. “It’s a long story.”
“Do you wanna talk about it?”
“I do, but the rules ...”
“There’re no rules saying we can’t talk,” he said with a shake of his head.
“But thereisone about not getting wires crossed, and if I tell you everything ... I think I might.” It was true. I already felt closer to Tammy, and I’d have to leave her too.
His eyes widened. “I didn’t know it was a risk for you. At least not likethat.”
Was it one for him? I wanted it to be. Maybe I would feel less alone. “This is a thing I’ve kept hidden for a long time, and if you handle it like you do everything else, then I’m gonna get attached.”
“And you don’t want that.”
I forced myself to nod. I shouldn’t want anything more than this.
But dammit, I did.
“I understand.”
The words were painful to hear, but it would be best when I left.
But did Iwantto leave?
It had always been a fact. My projects were planned out, and my time here had a deadline.
Only now, the idea of going back felt terrifying.
I would miss Strawberry Springs.
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