Page 62 of Wonderstruck

The world had its arms perched on myshoulders, pushing down with gentle pressure. But thankfully this time I knew what to do to stop it from pushing me into myselfagain, and that was to snap out of this silly little love affair I was playing out in my head and realise that Finn Rhodes doesn’t like me the way I like him.

After all, he said it perfectly.

I'm just being honest with a friend.

“Rory?” His voice pulled me back out ofmy head.

“Hmm?” I muttered quickly, meeting hisstare.

“You okay?”

I nodded, hiking up my smile. “Yeah.I’m perfect.”

But the truth was, no matter how much he tried to remind himself that he wanted to see me happy, I couldn’t shake the feeling that when the moment came—when my foot slipped and I started to fall—he wouldn’t be there to catch me. And I knew that fall was inevitable.

Because Finn wasn’t just any crush. He was the kind that settled deep under your skin, the kind you never quite let go of, even when you convinced yourself you had. He was the one you’d look back on years later, maybe when you were happily married, maybe when you had a whole new life, and you’d realise—despite everything—you never truly got over him. He was a memory that refused to fade, the picture you pretend isn't their when you're flicking through the albums, knowing that if you stopped and stared for just a moment, you'd be reminded of what once was… and what could have been had he liked you back.

Just another heartbreak I knew was waiting for me.

1.And it has nothing to do with the fact that I need you to pass my exams.

2.I like having you around, just as much as I like being around you.

3.I'm impressed.

4.I have a very good tutor.

chapter sixteen

bring me roses and tell me i'm breathtaking. but only if you mean it.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

That was the only thing going throughmy mind as I stared back at my reflection.

With a sigh, I turned slowly to face thegirls. All three were perched togetheron my bed, their expressions caught somewhere between shock, awe, and something I couldn’t quite name.

“Say one word, and I swear I’ll…” Itrailed off, glancing down at the outfitagain before meeting their gazes. “Oh, why fight it? I look ridiculous.”

Cora was up in an instant, tucking herhair behind her ears as her eyes grewwide. “Ridiculous? Rory, I think I have a crush on you.”

Goldie leaned forward, her grinmischievous. “I’ve never wanted to break upwith Tristan more.”

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help thesmile that tugged at my lips.

Finally, Ilooked at Daisy, who was simply beaming at me. “I still love you the appropriate amount,” she said, her voice warm, “but honestly, I think you should never take that off.”

I turned back to the mirror, my gaze falling once more on the absurdity that was my recital costume. Because Aspen had kindly agreed to buy my costume, that meant I forfeited having any say in the design. The blue and white plaid dress skimmed just above my thighs, and the princess sleeves? Far puffier than I’d ever imagined. But there it was—the unmistakable vision of Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz.

If Dorothy had boobs too big for her dress, that was.

“I can’t tell if I hate it or if, somehow, it works?” I murmured to the mirror, catching the girls’ reflections from the corner of my eye.

Goldie stood and brushed the custard tartcrumbs from her yellow sweats. “Saying you look okay would be the understatement of the century,” she walked towards me, tugging gently at the ends of my braids. “And this is just the ‘try-on.’ Wait until you add a little sparkle and have your makeup done. You’ll look insane!”

I arched an eyebrow at her in the mirror, flailing my hands like I was weighingsomething. “Clinically or…”

She nudged me, her eyes gleaming.

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