Page 76 of The Lucky One
I couldn’t help but giggle into the towel.
“Fine, go on.”
“It’s good that you don’t because it shows you’re a good friend. And to be real, I don’t trust myself either.”
A pause filled the room. I clutched the towel tighter in anticipation.
“Seeing her happy is all I want,” Jon said. “I don’t ever want to cause her pain again. Because, believe me, the worst part of going through withdrawal was knowing what I had put her through because I was a coward. I want to be brave, for her.”
My heart melted into my chest. That was exactly what I wanted too: to be brave.
“Okay,” Danielle said. Even though I couldn’t see her face, I knew she liked what he said.
“But in case I do mess up—”
“Jon!”
“I’m just saying, for Christ’s sake. Let me talk!”
“Okay, okay.”
“Just—don’t tell her I told you so or whatever in case I do mess up. I’m trying my best here, but addiction is a sickness. I don’t mean it as an excuse or a loophole. I just want to know that you’ll be there for her in case I can’t be.”
I rested my head against the wall. Jon was doing better, but he was right. The fight wasn’t over yet; it still thrashed in his blood every single day... every second of his life.
“Don’t give up. Okay?” Danielle said in a softer voice.
“I won’t,” Jon replied, and I knew their conversation was finished.
I took a deep breath and stepped around the corner. “Sorry, couldn’t find a clean towel. What are you two talking about?”
Danielle smiled. “Oh, just how I’ll make him look like a mushroom-head if he won’t treat you right.” I burst out laughing, and so did Jon.
Lonely by Choice
Kiki
I didn’t go to the library today, not wanting to risk running into Paul. All I did was sit at my desk in my room, rereading pages I’d already read, finishing tasks and starting them over again.
I glanced over my shoulder at the drawer that held the letter. Picked up my phone but there was no message. Checked my email: nothing either. Waiting for Yale was becoming more torturous with every passing day.
“Welcome to my life,” I said to no one in particular.
Readjusting my glasses on the bridge of my nose, I dived back into the world of books, waiting until it was time to hit the pillow. Just a few more weeks and I would reach my dream—and then I could live again.
Taking the Leap
Emily
The running track stretched out in front of me, seemingly endless. My short legs forced me to take twice as many strides as most of the class, and I was struggling to keep up.
“I’m going to walk,” I puffed to Aiden behind me, but he put his hands on my back and gave a gentle push. “C’mon, Alemán! One more lap!”
“I can’t,” I gasped, coughing from all the cigarettes I’d had lately.
Aiden sprinted past me, then turned around and ran backward. “Sí, you can! You’re a fighter, not a quitter, cariño!”
My legs picked up speed over the track. Pain is just a signal from the mind, alerting us that something’s wrong. A protection system. And I wasn’t dying. I could handle it for a few more seconds, couldn’t I?