AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Willow and I climb the stairs to her front door and then face each other.
“If you want to pretend that conversation never happened, I’m okay with that,” she says. “Whatever you need.”
I inch closer to her and take her hands. “No, I don’t want you to forget that conversation. I’m glad I told you.” I close my arms around her. “I know I said this a million times tonight, but thank you. Thank you so much, Willow. For being there for me and listening to me and putting up with me and my problems.”
She hugs me back. “Of course. You—”
The door flings open and Mia sticks her head out. “What are you…oh my gosh! Were you about to kiss?”
I drop my arms from around Willow and face her sister. “Hey, Mia,” I say with a smile and a wave. “I was just leaving. Good night, Willow.”
“Good night.”
As I walk away, I can hear Mia demanding answers from Willow. Willow doesn’t provide any. Before I get in my car, I turn around and catch Willow’s eyes. She hasn’t gone into the house yet, though Mia’s gone.
She looks at me and I look at her. I don’t know what’s happening right now, but something passes between us. I’m not sure what it means, though.
She waves with a comforting smile. I wave back before getting in my car and driving home.
When I’ve showered and am lying in bed playing a game on my phone, it dings with a text.
Willow: Hey. Just checking in to see how you’re doing.
I smile as I text her back.
Colt: I’m okay. Just about to go to sleep. Sweet dreams, Willow. And thanks for texting me.
Willow: See you tomorrow.
Colt: See you.
And I’m really looking forward to it.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Willow
The first thing that enters my head the next morning is what happened between Colt and me last night. How he opened up to me, confided in me, took comfort in me.
I’ve never felt that close to someone, except for my friends and family. He didn’t feel like a fake boyfriend last night. He felt…real.
Which is crazy.
But I’m glad he shared that with me. Glad that he has someone he can talk to about this stuff. It sucks that his friends and his dad aren’t there for him.
After I get ready and eat breakfast with my family, I wait outside for Colt to pick me up for school. Again, everything he told me last night flashes in my mind. It makes me appreciate the good things I have in life, like my family and friends. I can’t imagine going through what he went through. If I lost my parents or Mia, I wouldn’t get up in the morning. The fact that he goes through his days with a smile and is such a kind person shows how strong he is. Like I told him last night, he’s an amazing person.
A silver car pulls up before the house, tugging me out of my thoughts. Colt steps out of the car, a bright smile on his face as he waves.
“Good morning, Willow,” he greets as he approaches me. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. How are you?”
He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Much better, thanks. And that’s all because of you.” He bends forward to hug me. “Thanks. We’d better get to school before we’re late. I’ve never missed a day in my life.”
“Me, either. You’re such a nerd.”
He chuckles. “Takes one to know one.”
