Jaxon:We might have met on accident, but then you tracked me down. Remember?
I can practically hear the venom in his words. He’s right. I can’t lie my way out of this. Ididseek him out after he changed my tire and I tried to date him. I wish I could just get over it, but I can’t. I really liked this guy. Now I’m the fool.
Me:I am sorry. I hope you believe that. I wanted to keep dating you, but I knew you needed to know the truth. So I guess I ruined everything.
Jaxon:You don’t get it. It was a game to you. It’s not a game to me.
Me:What do you mean?
Jaxon:I’ve liked you for years, Mae. So when you finally liked me back, it was awesome. And then it was all a lie.
I stare at his message for a long time. I knew he had a crush on me back in junior high, but I guess I thought he’d grown out of it. But if he’s liked me this whole time, then I know why he feels awful now. Still, my intentions aren’t tinged with that stupid bet anymore. I like him and I want a second chance.
Me:I’m so sorry. I wish we could start over.
I stare at my phone screen for the next five minutes, waiting for a reply that says he accepts my apology, that he wants to start over, too. But he never says anything back.
I’ve totally screwed up this time.
#
Jacie runs down the hallway, calling my name the next morning. She almost crashes right into me as she skids to a stop and grabs my arm.
“What is wrong with you?” I say.
“I have news,” she says, panting. “Good news.”
“About?”
She glances around and must decide there’s too many people to overhear us because she whispers, “Jaxon.”
I pull her into an empty classroom. “Spill.”
“So I was talking to one of his friends on Snapchat last night. He said Jaxon is like super sad right now because he really liked you. Apparently you’re the only thing on his mind.”
I sigh. “I don’t know what that even means. He texted me a little bit last night, and I was practically begging for forgiveness and he just ignored me.”
“He used to get made fun of for being so dorky,” Jacie says. “Now he’s older and totally hot and he still thinks people see him as a nerd.”
“But I told him I’m sorry.”
She shrugs. “I wouldn’t give up on him. He still likes you.”
I let her words keep me company all day. I thought he hated me, but maybe he’s just sad about the whole thing. Maybe I can still change his mind. I just need a really good way to apologize. I’m driving home from school, still thinking up a way to give him a grand gesture—the world’s best apology. I know I can’t write him a song because he probably hates guitars now. So I think about something that would make him happy. And then I get an idea so crazy, it might not work.
