Chapter 6
Day 10
Returning to school was hard. Dorothy had clearly worked her popular girl magic on the rest of the population.
Before I even got to my locker, I got glares and varying rude gestures. I didn’t really care.
Funny how I used to care that no one noticed.
Everything faded when I spotted my locker. There were balloons taped to it, and a sign that said, “WELCOME BACK JAIMIE, WE MISSED YOU!”
At lunch, Denner did not take any credit for decorating.
“That was not me,” he said.
“Yeah, it definitely was,” Ayn and Jenn took the seats across from us. I was confused. They didn’t normally sit here; they hung out with a different crowd.
But I wasn’t unhappy to see them.
Denner flushed pink. “It most certainly was NOT!”
Jenn stage-whispered, “He’s been denying it alllll day and blushing every time says your name alllll weekend.”
It was my turn to blush.
“Plus, Denner’s a terrible liar,” Ayn added, biting down on her sandwich.
“I am not! I’m the sneakiest, coolest liar who ever lived!” Denner protested.
“Every time we campaign, you always make a very bad poker face and grin whenever the party approaches a trap!” Jenn pointed out.
Denner groaned. “You two are the literal worst.”
“Only when you want to look suave in front of….. people.” They left.
I started laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. The exchange was sit-com worthy.
I was a sucker for sit-coms.
“Not you too!” Denner feigned exasperation.
“Sorry,” I gasped. “Not sorry.”
Once I’d finally stopped laughing, Denner avoided my pestering about what Jenn and Ayn were on about.
Instead, he asked, “Was your mom awful after I left?”
I shrugged. “Would’ve been, but I really didn’t care what she had to say.”
Denner winced. “Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Mother needed a good shock to her system.”
He mumbled something unintelligible.
“What now?” I asked. He repeated himself, loud enough for me to hear.
“That’s what my ex said before he broke up with me.”
My eyes widened. “Do I need to beat the crap out of him?”
Denner let out a laugh that was more fragile than glass and full of pain.
“No.”
One word was not terribly helpful on what I could do. But I gave him a hug.
“I’m here,” I whispered in his ear. “I’ll always be right here.”
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Later that evening, Denner texted a photo of him and a boy who looked like he should’ve been in a commercial. Flawless.
Denner: Thats me and Eli
Me: too hot to be any good
Denner: lol. But i didnt think so last year
Me: what do u need from me
Denner: just being you
and staying
Me: i am physically incapable of leaving you
I blushed, realizing how that might sound. But Denner didn’t comment.
Denner: no. but ur determined to stay obvi, so u will
Me: i want to know u forever Deleted
God, I was terrible at vulnerability! Why on earth couldn’t I just say…
I love you.
I’ve known you for a week, and now all I can think about is how your dimples appear when you laugh.
I want to wash that disgusting Eli off you.
I want to look you in the eyes and say that you’ll always be enough, have always been.
Me: if u need anything, i’m a few clicks away
Denner: 😍
I spent the rest of the night obsessing over that emoji.
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