Page 49 of Happy Harbor
“Change is always hard.”
“They just fight me at every turn,” she said, sighing.
Walker smiled. “I meant the change you’re going through.”
“Oh.”
“Can I help?”
“How could you help?”
“Take you out to a nice dinner sometime?”
Her heart rate quickened. What did he just say? Did he ask her out? Where did that even come from? She wasn’t sure whether to be aggravated or flattered.
“What?”
“Relax. I just mean one friend taking another friend to dinner.”
“I’m your landlord.”
“Yeah, it’s quite the power dynamic,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Listen, I can see you’re spiraling out of control here, Josie. I’m just trying to give you a break.”
“I appreciate the offer, but I can’t. Everything is just too busy here.”
He held up his hands. “Got it. I won’t ask again, but if you ever want to take me up on the offer, just ask.”
“You won’t ask again? Is that some kind of warning?” she asked, laughing. Walker didn’t crack a smile.
“No, but it is my way of saying I don’t chase people, including friends. You’re a person who needs help but refuses to ask for it because you don’t seem to trust anyone. At least, that’s the vibe you’re giving off. If that’s true, the only way you’ll change is if you’re forced to ask for help.”
“Change is a myth. The only change I’ve seen in my life has been bad.” She turned toward the restaurant.
“How did you get this way, Josie Campbell?”
She looked back over her shoulder. “We’re not good enough friends for me to tell you that, Walker Jackson.”
* * *
Kendra couldn’t help it. She liked Scotty. Spending the last few days at school with an actual friend was something she’d dreamed of at her other high schools. And it wasn’t just Scotty. Other people were nice to her, even teachers. While she’d hung out with other kids at her old schools, she never felt like she had real friends who would be there for her when she was having a bad day.
“Truth or dare,” Scotty said, grinning. They’d been sitting in the middle of the grassy quad between the buildings for the last thirty minutes. School was over, but Kendra was having so much fun that she didn’t mind staying a while.
“Truth.”
He thought for a moment. “What’s your biggest fear?”
“Hmm... Spiders.”
He tilted his head. “Deeper.”
“What?”
“A deeper fear. Not like bugs or roller coasters. Let’s get deep, Kendra.”
She chuckled. “What is this? Therapy?”
“That’s what I’m going to school for. Might as well practice now.”
