Page 23 of No Way Home
For a flicker of a second, guilt crossed his face.
I stepped pasthim, heading back to the game.
But he was right behind me, whispering in my ear, “Don’t act like you know my family just because you hung out at our house a couple of times. You don’t know anything.”
I stopped dead, causing him to stumble into me. I spun, jabbing my finger in his chest. “I know you need to stay far away from me. Griffin can too, for that matter. I don’t need to date a liar, even part-time.” I took off, darting in and out of people.
He let loose a string of swear words, chasing after me. Suddenly his arm caught me around the waist, pinning me to the wall. His hands landed on the cement beside my head, caging me in.
My heart flopped around in my chest.
“Stop.” His eyes were wild, his face too close. “You can’t do that to Griff. Hereallylikes you, okay?” His chest heaved like he was on the verge of having a panic attack. “He was just trying to do what I asked. He’s not a liar. He’s a really good guy.” His gray eyes begged. “You gotta believe me.”
I stared at him, not knowing what to do or even think about this whole thing. But his desperation was too much. I collapsed against the wall. “Fine.”
His head dropped with relief, his hands fell away, and he stepped back. “I’m sorry, okay? Sometimes I can be…a jerk. Just don’t take it out on Griff.”
The announcer’s voice boomed. The National Anthem was about to start. “Whatever. Bye, Bowen.” I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be sure not to wave if I see you around.”
He said nothing—didn’t try to take it back. Just stayed there, watching me go.
So that’s what I did. Anytime I saw him on campus, I pretended he was invisible. It must’ve been what he wanted because he did the same. Like neither of us cared.
But only one of us was telling the truth.
I cared so much it ached.
Because I, Magnolia Hollis, was a future fixer of broken people, and somehow, I knew Bowen was in desperate need of repair.
So every time I pretended not to see him, it chipped away at me. But every time he returned the favor, my own heart fractured bit by bit by bit.
Chapter Seven
MAGNOLIA
Four days later,I sat in a study carrel in Clemons Library, tweaking the last line of a paper for my BioEthics class. My phone vibrated on the desk.
Dad:
Did you get your test grade back yet?
I checked the time. 6:36 pm. Dr. Voss, my Organic Chemistry II professor, vowed to have the exam 1 grades posted today. Aromatic Compounds & Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution. I groaned, remembering the literal tears I’d shed studying for it.
That class was kicking my butt, but it was kicking everyone’s butts. Except for Kevin Liu—a verified genius—who was sure to jack up the curve if Voss even had the heart to use one.
I texted Abilene.
Did you check your grade yet?
Abilene
Bye, bye med school.
She sent a picture of her score. 41.
Abilene
A carton of Americone Dream is waiting for you here at the apartment. But I doubt you’ll need it. You’re probably right behind Kevin.
