Page 34 of The Heart That Breaks
“So we get out half a day tomorrow. We can get together after school at my house. I’ll ask Matt to come too, and the three of us can come up with a plan.”
“You’re crazy,” I say, shaking my head. “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
I glance at Henry and realize how silly it would sound to Nathan for me to say my dog is the reason I need to get home.
He unzips the backpack he has set on the ground in front of us, pulls out a pair of metal cutters. “We’ll swing by and get him. What time does Lance get home?”
“Six-thirty.”
“And I’ll have you both back home before Zero ever gets here.”
I laugh, surprising myself. “You actually are crazy.”
“I prefer determined.”
“I’ll give you that.”
“So we’re good?”
I should come up with a reason to say no. It really is insane to think that we could form a band or that Henry could come with us to the first meeting. But I love the idea of it. So much so that all I can do is nod in agreement.
*
HENRY AND I watch as Nathan drives off. He has a test tomorrow and hasn’t started studying for it yet. Henry’s tail thumps against the barrel. I look down at him. “I know, right? But if we’re back before Mama and Lance get home, what can it hurt?”
I’m so excited that I don’t go to sleep until it’s nearly time for the sun to rise.
*
Nathan
I STILL CAN’T believe she actually agreed. But even after pulling an all-nighter to study for a Physics test, I’m too stoked to pay attention in any of my other classes.
Ann-Elizabeth and I meet eyes several times during Lit class, and the smile that instantly curves her lips makes me wish the day would hurry up and get to the part where the bell rings at three o’clock.
It finally does.
I run from the far end of the high school to the parking lot where Ann-Elizabeth has agreed to meet me. I’ve got my mom’s BMW today, and she is standing at the back by the bumper, arms wrapped tight around her back pack as if she needs something to hold onto.
“Hey,” I say, jogging to a stop in front of her.
“Hey.”
“You came.”
“I did.”
“I was sure you would change your mind.”
“I’m thinking that would have been a good idea.”
“Nah. This is a better one. Come on.” I walk around and open the passenger door of the car. I take her back pack and throw it in the back seat, wait for her to climb in and then close the door.
I get in on the driver’s side, turn to look at her for a moment.
“What?” she asks, shaking her head and smiling a little.
