Page 63 of Only Ever You

“Ian!” Meg yelps. “Aunt Bella told us not to say anything!”

I let out a laugh. “That’s why I love you.” I meet my brother’s gaze. While I look like our mom, he looks like a child version of our dad. “Your inability to keep a secret never ceases to amaze me.”

“I wanted to cheer you up.” He frowns. “I don’t like it when you’re upset or when you shut yourself up in your room like you have been.”

“Once I’m better, I’ll come out more. I promise.”

“Kids! Ian, Meg? Where are you?” Mom calls from downstairs.

“With Isla,” my brother yells.

“We’re waiting for you. Come downstairs,” Dad adds, sounding cheerful.

With a sigh, I climb off my bed. Ian and Meg stand and take my hands, leading me downstairs.

“Did Michael wish you a happy birthday?” Meg asks.

Disappointment and defeat hit me like punches. No. I hoped he would, but no.

But when I see the hope in her eyes, all I can do is nod.

“I’m glad. If not, I was gonna whoop his ass when I got home.”

I giggle. “I’d have paid a lot of money to see you do it.”

“Once you’re feeling better, you should come over. I’ll do it just for you.”

“Um, maybe after winter break.” I smile at her despite the pang in my chest. My move to Boston is coming up quickly, and with each passing day, my anxiety grows. So instead of explaining that’s not possible, I go with a little white lie.

“Deal.” She pulls on my hand. “Come on. You’re gonna love this.”

Shaking my head, I smile and follow her and Ian into the kitchen. With any luck, spending time with my family will help clear my head of the lingering thoughts in my mind.

“You’re gonna wait here, right?” I ask Mom as I push open the passenger door. “I won’t be long.”

“I’ll park and wait in the car. Don’t worry, take your time.”

Swallowing past the trepidation crawling up my throat, I close the car door and head toward the school building. Today is one of those California winter days that can’t decide what it wants to be. The sky is dotted with low gray clouds, yet here and there sunlight peeks through, warming the air. I left my jacket in the back seat and don’t regret it. Even in only my pink hoodie, I don’t feel cold.

In fact, I’m sweating a little, no doubt from nerves.

We leave for Boston tomorrow morning. Dad hired a moving company to deliver most of my things, so they’ll be waiting at my grandparents’ house when I get there. My suitcase and backpack are already packed.

On the surface, I’m ready to leave.

Deep down? I’m a mess. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want to leave without saying goodbye, at least not to the few people who were kind to me. Cade and Asher. And maybe, just maybe, if I see Michael, he will hear me out too.

I open the doors and step inside. Instantly, the whispering starts. Ignoring it, I hold my head high and stride toward the library, where Cade said he’d be. He apologized for telling Michael I was leaving, but honestly, he didn’t need to. I distanced myself from my best friend, and that’s what led to me hiding things from him.

Cade said he apologized to Michael too. Apparently, Michael told him he and I were no longer friends.

I push away the thought and the hurt that comes with it. With a deep breath, I lower myself onto the stool beside Cade. “Hey.”

He turns to me, his lips stretching into a big smile. “Hi. Is this why you asked where I was?”

I nod. “How are you? Ready for winter break?”

“I’m good.” He closes his textbook and shifts so he’s facing me. “And I can’t wait for winter break to start. I’m tired of this place and these people. Half of them suck, and the other half are just meh.”