Page 134 of What I Like About You

“Nash,” I say.

“Were you ever going to tell me?” he asks. “You’re doing the panel, right? How did you think this would go down? Did you think I’d see your picture when they announce the schedule in a few weeks and go,Huh, Kels is actually Halle. Cool.”

I shake my head. “I asked if you had plans today.Thiswas supposed to be the plan. I wanted to bring you here. I wanted to geek out together over meeting Ariel Goldberg and eat cupcakes andI wanted to tell you here. I wanted to show you.”

Nash laughs. “Right. That would have made it way less of a betrayal.”

I knew there wouldn’t be a perfect plan. That I just had to do it. But now I am Halle the Liar. Nothing I say will matter.

“I loved you,” Nash says, and my stomach falls another ten stories.

New tears fall fresh because it’s already in past tense and he’s never even said it in present.

Nash bites his lower lip. “I need to go—I need to … God, I don’t know.”

“I’m so—”

“Stop.” Nash stands so fast he trips over a crack in the sidewalk. He doesn’t fall, just stumbles forward a few steps in his whirlwind to rush out of my life.

I reach for his hand to steady him.

He freezes and I sigh because his hand is warm and it’s in mine.

It’s selfish, stupid to think he’ll stay, talk it out more, try to forgive me, but for half a second I do.

When I open my mouth again, he pulls away.

“Later,Kels.”

Before I can react, he’s gone, stomping on the pavement like he’s crushing the pages from our history underfoot as he runs down the street.

April 6

Samira Lee

KELS. WHAT IS GOING ON?

8:42 PM

Elle Carter

WE ARE SO CONFUSED. YOU MET NASH? AFTER YOU GHOSTED HIM?

8:43 PM

Amy Chen

I know we’re not supposed to be talking to you since you decided you’re over being friends with us, or whatever, but seriously?!?!

8:44 PM

Elle Carter

The photos are pretty awkward, tbh. Did you not know he was going to be there?

8:46 PM

TWENTY-FOUR

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