Page 113 of Safety Net
Even naturally gifted, brilliant people had to wake up every day and get to work. Celeste, with all her talent, kindness, and strength, still worked for it. Every day, she faced a fear, whether it was editing a lyric, believing she deserved friends, or talking to a stranger. No matter how large or small, she showed up. I wanted to take a page out of her book. Be as brave as she was.
"This is impressive, Lincoln." Henrik glanced at me. "You did all this on your own?"
I gave him a look and smiled when he realized how it sounded.
"Sorry," he added quickly. "I didn't mean you weren't capable…I just…"
"You just used the data you had to make an accurate assumption," I said. "That makes perfect sense."
He smiled, grateful for the understanding and the knowledge I wasn't nursing some silly grudge. He wanted what was best for me. And now, I felt daring enough to imagine what that might look like, too.
"I know this is all words on a page," I said. "But it's a start. I'm committed. And…well, I won't try to bite your heads off this time if you have any tips."
It was only quiet for a second before the room came to life with their praises, thoughts, and suggestions. We spent over an hour carefully reviewing my plan, examining the fine details to make it more fleshed out and manageable. With their help, my dreams seemed to take on a more solid shape, the abstract fading thanks to deep-rooted care.
"What do you think?" I asked Celeste in a low voice when the others got caught on a tangent about my approach to next semester if Anthony would agree to my request in a few months.
"About Anthony?" she whispered back, her hands on my chest now, thumb absentmindedly drumming a beat.
"About all of it." I looked up at her, taking in her beautiful smile and those wondrous stars.
She traced the edge of my jaw, studying me as if I were as exceptional as she was. "I think you're an incredible dreamer. I think it's amazing how much you're showing up for yourself. I think wherever you end up, it will be wondrous."
"Wherever we end up," I gently corrected.
Her smile lit me up from the inside. She wrinkled her nose, obviously wanting to lean in for a kiss, but was too nervous to do it in front of everyone. I covered my hand over hers, promising her that and so much more whenever we had privacy.
"We," Celeste agreed.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CELESTE
The loss of summer hit me harder than ever before. Though the season was home to my birthday and guaranteed escape from the pressures of school, the long, warm days never settled well on my skin. I preferred the cold, gentle urge of winter. Even the crisp air of fall. But this summer had claimed my favorite beginning. It was where I fell for Lincoln Hill. When I discovered all the things I believed would keep me trapped were actually the keys to setting me free.
"Here?" Lincoln whispered, words mixing with the singing crickets, fingers holding onto the day's heat and painting it on my skin.
Nights were colder, making the treehouse less appealing to be in. But I could stretch out its use with another body's warmth. Lincoln was a willing tribute.
"Here." I nodded, slipping my hand underneath his shirt. My fingers played with the line of hair under his belly button, teasing him with chaste brushes above his belt.
We'd spent the beginning of the semester as entangled as we could. I was fascinated with exploration. Testing my bounds, learning my desires, satisfying his.
"You're supposed to be studying," he said, trying his best to be the responsible one.
Lincoln stuck to his plan with rigid determination. He'd also committed to developing coping skills in managing his ADHD. Not every day was a winner—a complex reality he lamented over and was struggling to get used to after years of avoidance. Most days were full of effort. And that was more than enough.
"I didn't come here," he said between kisses. "To distract you."
"Well, I invited you here to distract," I whispered against his mouth. "So where does that leave us?"
"Leaves me being used." He chuckled when I frowned in disapproval. "Use me as much as you want. I don't mind being here for just that."
"Just what?" I teased.
"Everything," he promised and cupped my head, pulling me to his mouth again.
The weight of the new semester melted to the wayside. I forgot about scheduling my new mentor appointment, prepping for my audition for the school's symphony, and the phone call I'd been waiting for about my mentorship application.
