Page 39 of I Wish I Would've Chosen You

“In that case, I’ll text you their state prisoner numbers,” I say. “You can pull them up yourself. Going back to what you said earlier about Miss Shaw, though…should I be worried?”

“Extremely.” She laughs, and we effortlessly move on to another subject. And somehow, we stay on the phone until nine o’clock in the morning.

When we hang up this time, I decide I can only do this for one more night.

We’ll finish our discussion on our favorite trilogy, she’ll vent to me a bit more about her parents, and that’s it.

That. Is. It.

9B

LIAM

Okay, a few more weeks of talking to her on the phone at night won’t hurt…

10

GENEVIEVE

Early November

Mr. Donovan

I refuse to believe you’ve never seen ‘The Iron Giant.’

I can say the same about you, seeing as though you’re still taking credit for that quote. *eye roll emoji*

Mr. Donovan

You should watch it. It’s a very good film.

Isigh and put my phone away. Despite talking to him on the phone every night and sharing an extra cup of tea after every mentor session, he never suggests we do something together outside the classroom.

He keeps his boundaries front and center, never letting me get too close.

I’ve accepted it, though.

He’s the only friend I’ve ever had.

Shaking away the slight disappointment, I focus on today’s cleaning session with my personal group of “helping fairies.”

The secretary’s niece and her friends are following me around with rags because they’re convinced I’m the real-life version of Cinderella.

I add a final coat of shine to the glass and move my bucket to the balcony.

“Miss Edwards?” Principal Peterson’s voice makes me turn around.

“Sir?”

“Set down that rag for a second and follow me, please.”

I oblige, and he leads me into his office.

“Have a seat.” His voice is as terse as it was on the day he sentenced me.

He stares at me, not saying a word.

Swallowing, I wrack my brain for what this could be about.

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