Page 11 of Broken Secrets
“Terribly. I keep starting essays and then deleting them.” He runs a hand through his hair. “They all want to know about my goals and passions and where I see myself in ten years. How am I supposed to know that?”
“What do you want to study?”
“I don’t know. I like a lot of things, but nothing feels like… the thing, you know? Like the thing I’m supposed to do with my life.”
“Maybe you don’t have to know yet. It’s okay to go in undecided.”
“Easy for you to say. You’ve known you wanted to play college soccer since freshman year.”
“I mean, I’m good at soccer, but is it what I want to do? Or is it what I’m expected to do because I’m good at it?”
He is quiet for a moment and shrugs.
“So, um, there’s something I wanted to ask you. About winter formal.”
“What about it?”
“I’ve been trying to work up the courage to ask someone, but…” He fidgets with the hem of his shirt. “I keep chickening out.”
My phone buzzes on the coffee table, I pick it up to see a message from Robert.
Robert
Where are you? Dinner’s ready and your mom’s asking questions.
“I should probably head home,” I say, but I don’t move to get up.
“You sure? You seem more relaxed than when you got here.”
He’s right. For the first time in a while, I feel like I can think clearly.
“Thanks,” I say as he walks me to the door. “For listening. For the grilled cheese. For not making me feel crazy.”
“You’re not crazy,” he says, turning to face me. “You’re dealing with something really hard, and you’re handling it better than most people would.”
“I don’t feel like I’m handling it well.”
“Trust me, you are.” He reaches over and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, and the gesture is so gentle it makes my heart skip. “You’re one of the strongest people I know, Olivia Kline.”
The way he says my full name makes something flutter in my chest. Like maybe it’s not such a terrible name after all. Like maybe I can make it mean something good, regardless of where it came from.
“I should head in,” I say, but I don’t move.
“Want me to pick you up for school tomorrow? Save you from having to drive when you’re running on no sleep?”
The offer catches me off guard. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know I don’t have to. I want to.” His eyes are serious, almost nervous. “If you want me to, I mean.”
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I’d like that.”
“See you then,”
“Perfect.”
I’m halfway to the front door when he calls out, “Hey, Liv?”
I turn back.
