Chapter 17Two and a half, Julian noted. Two and a half people now knew who he was and were calling him by his name. Though the last confession had not gone exactly how he had envisioned, it wasn’t bad. It was good, even. After he and Maria had made out a bit more, no longer going as far, they had finished their homework together. She had smiled up at him as he left, and things were going to be okay between them.
And now I’m someone’s boyfriend! That was something completely shocking and wonderful in and of itself. He could barely stop smiling his entire way home, listening to Gish on repeat as he did. He was so close he could taste it. Then as he ran his tongue over his mouth, he realized that was Maria’s lip gloss. Which was still pretty good, he figured.
When Julian arrived home, the h
