Chapter 35: Chapter 35

Some days, he wants to scream.

By the middle of November, he is twitchy with the stress of schoolwork, avoiding Tom’s puzzled glances, and figuring out just what the hell is happening to him. He can’t focus, can’t get Alex out of his head, can’t quit thinking of things to tell him, or wondering how he is—can’t stop thinking about kissing him

Then Mara has to go and thoroughly complicate the issue.

* * * *

“Appington.”

It’s the first word she says when Ryan picks up the phone, and he frowns, for a moment completely lost as to what that even means.

“What?”

“Appington,” she repeats. “That’s where you spend your summers, isn’t it?”

“Erm. Yeah,” he says. “Why?”

“Guess where I’ve just been!” she sings, and he sits bolt upright—which is an impressive feat in a recliner.

“Mara!”

“And that guy you told me about, that you hang out with? Alex?”

“Oh my God.”

“Guess who I’ve got pictures of!”

“Pictures?! Holy shit, Mara, what did you—?!”