His face lights up, and he reaches for my hand.
It’s a slower song, not the kind that you cuddle up for, but slow enough that Patrick wraps his arms around my waist as I slip mine around his neck.
“This is nice.”
“Is this what you were arguing about?”
His eyebrows rise. He’s not used to me being blunt. I spent so many years tiptoeing around him and everyone else in the hopes I’d be left alone.
But I’ve got no energy left for that.
“Things aren’t good.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” And I am. Because I still care despite him not seeming to.
“It is what it is. I won’t be here next year anyway, and if we can’t get on now, I doubt we’d survive long-distance.”
I tilt my head. “Really?”
“I’ve been thinking a lot about the future and how things have to change.”
My heart leaps. Even if I’m not a part of that future, I’m proud of him.
His gaze hits mine. “I miss you.”
I snort. “I didn’t think you’d noticed.”
“Of course I did. I’m just a little slow to wake up to what I’ve been doing—or what Vicki and her friends have been doing. You never complained to me about their bullying.”
No, I didn’t.
I could have—I knew that, but I figured there was very little point. My friendship with Patrick seemed to have run its course, and there was a part of me that was scared that he would agree and join in.
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.” His blue eyes are piercing. “I’m done with this immature bullshit. Someone in Vicki’s friend group told me she’s always picked on you, but I’d told her a long time ago that you were off limits.”
Tears prick my eyes. He didn’t protect me, but he thought he had?
“I’m not sure I want to get into this now.”
His jaw tightens, and he nods. “That’s fair enough. But this isn’t over. I can’t begin to tell you how angry I am right now. I?—”
“If I’d told you, would it have made a difference?”
His brow furrows. “Of course it would.”
I swallow hard. Where did everything go wrong? For the past five years, I thought he was embarrassed to be myfriend, and now he comes out with this, and he’s dancing with me.
The song finishes, and I force a smile. “Thanks for the dance. I think I’m going to go home.”
He nods and drops his hands. “I’m sorry, Cassie. For everything.”
“School’s over soon. And then I’ll never have to deal with her again.” I sigh. “Goodnight, Patrick.”
“See you soon?”
I shrug.
