I must have drifted off at some point crying because when I sit up again, Alex is putting something away in his closet. My face feels puffy, and my thumb is crushed between the closed pages of mom’s journal. Alex sees me stir and smiles as he comes to sit down next to me.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re up.” He puts an arm around my shoulders. “I didn’t want to bother you.”
“What time is it?” I mumble, but my voice is hoarse. I try to wipe my face but find I have tears crusted on my cheeks. “Oh my god, don’t look at me.” I push Alex away and try to cover my face with the blanket.
“Hey! Stop that!” Alex pulls my hands away from my face.
“Nooo!” I try to hide my face in my shoulder. “I must look so gross!”
“But I’ve already seen you.”
“That doesn’t mean you should keep seeing me!” I drop my head
