Page 21 of The Weight Of Falling

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“I don’t think I’m very good at that either.”

He smiles faintly. “Yeah, your face gives you away every single time.”

I fold my arms. “It’s a yes to Saturday, but only if I can tell my family and friends it’s not a real date.”

He shrugs. “Sure. I have no problem with that.”

Curiosity prompts me to ask, “What about you? Is there anyone you want to tell?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

His face goes blank, as if something in him has shut down. “There’s no one.”

My throat tightens with unexpected emotion. Is it because he doesn’t care if he lies to his family or friends? Or because he has no one to tell?

There’s no one.

I don’t know why those three words feel so inexpressibly sad.

7

[MESSAGES]

JOEL:There’s a classic movie marathon on Saturday and they’re showing Shadowlands. You up for it?

KENZIE:Is that the biographical movie about C. S. Lewis?

JOEL:Yes.

KENZIE:I love C. S. Lewis. You remembered!

JOEL:No big deal. I’ll pick you up at five.

KENZIE:Should I meet you at the movie theater instead?

JOEL:No.

KENZIE:I could.

JOEL:I know you could, but I’ll pick you up.

KENZIE:Do you need my address?

JOEL:I know where you live.

KENZIE:Okay. Thank you.

JOEL:Just reminding you of our no kissing rule. You think you’ll be able to restrain yourself?

KENZIE:*GIF of a person rolling their eyes*

KENZIE:I was wondering how long it would take before you brought it up.

JOEL:I waited three whole days. Count yourself lucky.

[GROUP CHAT]

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