Page 67 of Before We Were

"Oh yay, a pity prize, how generous."

"It's not a??—"

"I'm messing with you," she interrupts, touching my arm. The contact sends a jolt through me, and I wonder if she feels it too.

Something catches my eye.

"Shit, remember those?" I point to a collection of bracelets.

Nora pauses, recognition softening her features.

"Oh, my God, I'd completely forgotten about those."

"You spent a whole summer making them, handing them out to everyone."

"How do you remember that?" she asks softly.

Because when it comes to you, I remember everything.

I shrug, though every moment with her is carved into my memory.

"I remember a lot of things. You turned our living room into a bead factory. Said they could bring joy to someone's bad day."

She blushes.

"You know what, I want one. You pick it though."

I choose a bracelet that reads "Fearless" and slide it onto her wrist. The simple touch sets my pulse racing, but I force myself to pull away before the moment turns awkward.

"You never made one for me," I say, watching the bracelet settle against her skin.

"That's because you were too cool back then."

"I was not."

"Were you really gonna wear a bracelet with daisies and smiley faces?"

"If you made it, I'd have." The truth slips out before I can stop it.

The carnival worker cuts in. "You guys still have some tickets left. Wanna grab something else?"

"Still think you're too cool?" Nora challenges.

I glance at my all-black outfit and laugh. "Not tonight."

"Close your eyes," she commands.

I hesitate but comply. A minute passes, then two.

"Did you ditch me?"

"Just wait. Almost there."

Her hands close something around my wrist, the touch sending electricity through me. "Okay, open."

I look down to see “infinite" spelled out in beads.

"Can't say I never made you one now," she says, proud of her surprise.

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