Page 60 of A Good Book

I jumped. “Yes?” I whispered.

“Chill.”

I nodded in the most unchill way.

“You’re the only one who refuses to see it.”

“See what?” I questioned.

“That you have a thing for Ben, and he has a thing for you.”

I shook my head.

She propped her bare feet onto her desk and folded her hands behind her head. “I’ve never had a ‘friend’ tickle me until I almost peed my pants. I’ve never had a friend open doors for me, kiss me, or look at me with a million stars in their eyes.”

“You think Ben looks at me with stars in his eyes?”

“Duh. And that’s how you look at him. You not realizing it just blows my mind. You totally love him.”

“He’s my friend.”

“There’s nothing better than falling in love with your best friend.”

I felt like everyone thought they knew us, but they didn’t. I loved Ben, but not like that. I refused to love him like that. And if he loved me as more than a friend, why did he sleep with so many other girls knowing that I believed in waiting until marriage?

It was too late. After she tried calling me out over supposedly loving Ben more than a friend, I couldn’t tell her about nearly having sex with Matt and saying Ben’s name.

“Just so you know, Matt and I are staying friends.”

“Because you love Ben?” Olivia smirked.

I threw one of my shirts at her. “Shut up.” I laughed. “It’s just not the right time.” That was the truth.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS, “SHEDRIVESMECRAZY”

Gabby

My parents pickedme up at the airport and played twenty questions about school on the way back to Devil’s Head.

Yes, I was passing my classes.

Yes, I liked my roommate.

Yes, I was making friends.

Yes, I was going to church every (most) Sundays.

Yes, I’d seen Matt on multiple occasions.

No, I wasn’t drinking.

No, I wasn’t doing drugs.

No, I wasn’t tempted to have sex.

That last one was more complicated, but accurate enough.

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