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She nodded. “I promise.”

“I had sex for the first time and then the guy broke up with me.” That was as true as I could make it.

Scarlett had cried when I told her.

My mom did not. She pressed her lips together and there was this fiery look in her eye. Like she was about to burn the whole city to the ground. “Who?” she said.

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It’s going to matter to your father.”

“Mom! You said you wouldn’t tell anyone.”

“Sorry.” She winced. “Sorry,” she said again and shook her head like she was shaking away the anger. Her features softened. “I’m sorry, but I really want to kill this boy.”

I wanted to laugh. But I couldn’t. And Mr. Halifax wasn’t a boy. He was a man. And I think that somehow made this whole thing worse. He wasn’t some immature boy. He was old enough to know exactly what he wanted. And that wasn’t me.

Scarlett was wrong. My mom didn’t always know how to make things better. Not this time. No one did.

And my mom’s anger had faded away and now it looked like she was going to cry too. Which would just make me cry even harder.

“Mom?” I said through my tears.

She leaned down, wiping my tears away with her fingers. “Oh, sweetie.” She cradled my face in her hands.

“Why wasn’t I enough?” I whispered.

“Sophie Hunter. You are so much more than enough. You’re my shining star.” She leaned down and enveloped me in a hug, squeezing me tight.

I didn’t think I was ever going to shine again.

Chapter 20 – Lifeless Blob

Tuesday

I couldn’t eat. I couldn’t sleep. I was just a lifeless blob. My heart was broken. I wasn’t even sure how it kept beating.

I hugged Mr. Halifax’ sweater against my chest. It was one of the only things I had left to remember him. He’d given it to Scarlett when she’d needed an outfit change, but I’d kept it. And it still smelled a bit like him.

I held it close and stared at the note Mr. Halifax had left me during the party. He’d called me amazing.

I thought I’d finally gotten everything I’d ever wanted.

But now Mr. Halifax was in a whole other state. And I didn’t even know which one. I’d only narrowed it down to 49. Because he wasn’t here with me.

Chapter 21 – Atropos

Wednesday

I thought I didn’t believe in fate. But it was hard not to think about the three fates right now. Because I had run out of time.

Atropos had cut the thread.

I fell too hard and too fast.

And Mr. Halifax didn’t love me back.

Chapter 22 – He Was My Hephaestus