Ivy pov:
"Ivy, please, I know you're in there!" Anna's voice cracked through another round of knocking, more frantic this time.
"I have to get that," I said, though every part of me wanted to stay exactly where I was, kneeling on the floor with Noah's hand wrapped around mine like it was the only solid thing left in his world.
"Wait." His grip tightened, and for a second the fog in his eyes cleared just enough that I saw him again…really him, the boy who used to trace circles on my palm while we talked under the stars behind the chemistry building. "Don't let go yet."
"Noah, I have to…"
"Please."
The word undid me more than I wanted to admit. I stayed a second longer, until his breathing steadied and the color started creeping back into his face, then gently pulled my hand free and
