I chose not to speak to him.
His number sat in my phone untouched. As untouched as that book you read eight times last summer and never once picked up again. You knew how it ended. You knew what was coming before you turned the page.
The truth was, we were better off without each other. Two kids who meet in school suspension usually aren't going to be the best match for each other. I couldn't speak for everyone who met this way, but I only needed to speak for myself anyways.
I didn't like saying his name, either. I never expected a one syllable word to ignite such painful memories as if they were gasoline. He felt a lot like gasoline. Edging towards danger and rage, but missing a single spark.
It's been months since I've spoken to Luke. I had only seen him once at the grocery store i
