Austin
If you asked me what the plan was that afternoon, I’d have said it was simple. Jane was coming over to help me study. That was it. It was supposed to be easy. Embarrassing, sure - inviting my “teammate” over so he could hold my damn hand through algebra and save me from academic probation. But necessary. And I could deal with embarrassment. I’d had enough practice lately.
I told myself it wouldn’t be weird. I told myself I’d keep it professional. I told myself I wouldn’t let the weekend sneak back in. The camping trip. The haunted shelter. Her hand in mine. Her voice shaking in the dark. The way she’d fallen asleep in my tent, clinging to me like I was the only solid thing in the world. The memory made something soft and painful bloom in my chest even as we climbed the stairs to m
