Page 110 of Wallflower

"It's kind of hard to say. But, about the whole fake relationship, I—"

Dare held up a hand. "I think I know where this is going."

"I don't think you do," I said.

"You're trying to let me down easy, but I get it," he said. "I'm not stupid, flower. I know when someone's about to break up with me."

I shook my head. "No, that wasn't—"

"Tyson's a lucky guy. I understand that him being your real boyfriend means our fake relationship is over. And you don't need me anymore."

He was wrong. So very wrong about that. I did need him. I'd probably always want him.

Dare smiled, but I couldn't find it in myself to give him one in return.

"This was fun while it lasted, though, right?" he said.

"Um hm."

"Can you carry your cello by yourself today? I've got to stop by the office."

"Sure," I said and then watched as he walked away.

Dare didn't look back or hesitate in his steps. It seemed like he'd severed the cord that was once between us. And here I was, staring after him, wishing he'd turn around, tell me he'd been wrong, that he still wanted me in any capacity. But I guess we'd still be friends, and that was something at least.

But Dare ignored me the rest of the day.

Actually, correction, it seemed like he was actively avoiding me.

In Lit, he talked to Jovonte the whole time and pretended I didn't exist. Estelle kept throwing concerned looks between me and my former fake boyfriend. In study hall, I didn't see Dare at all which was strange because we usually sat together. His behavior bothered me. What really got me, though, was that I hadn't gotten a chance to tell him how I felt.

And that made me feel like a coward.

But I wasn't a coward, I thought. I was my mother's daughter, a half-Slytherin, half-Gryffindor hybrid with an overly healthy love of romance and happy endings.

No matter what happened, I had to try and get mine.

Right?

I went to the shelter straight after school, hoping to clear my head and gain some clarity. But I was shocked to find Hermione's cage empty. When I went to ask Paris about it, I knew my eyes were red. But I couldn't help it.

"A very nice couple came to adopt her," Paris said and gave me a squeeze.

The hug should've helped, but I was inconsolable.

"They just showed up out of the blue," I said, through my sniffles. "And they wanted Hermione? My Hermione?"

She nodded. "They took one look at her, and it was like she knew."

"Knew what?" I asked, craving the answer as much as I dreaded it.

"That she was going home," Paris said gently. "Hermione took to them in minutes. It was like she'd already met them before. I would've called, but I knew you were in school."

So? I thought as my waterfall of tears continued. I would've dropped everything, ran as quick as I could, just to meet these "very nice" people who'd taken my girl. I looked to her cage and seeing it empty was like having a stake driven through my heart.

"Please don't cry, Viola. I know you would've approved if you'd been here."

"But I wasn't," I said. "And now, I'll never get to say goodbye to her."

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