“And shot a miniature cup of salad dressing at you.”
“Accidents happen. Then what?”
“You helped me up.”
“I asked you to sit down with me.”
She gazes across the meadow behind the manor.
“Please don’t think about making a run for it. One, I don’t want you to turn an ankle. Two, I’m not above tackling you. Three, I want you to hear this.”
“You mean you want me to relive the humiliation and mockery of senior year?”
I gently pinch her chin and adjust her to face me. “I think you’ve misunderstood something that happened that day. I want you to look into my eyes so you really, truly understand that I never meant to embarrass you or hurt you.”
She droops like a wilting flower in need of water and sunlight.
“I want to make an apology. I’m sorry, Pippa.”
“You don’t need to?—”
“I do.”
“Chase, it’s fine.” She continues walking like it’s no big deal, but it was. It would be if it had happened to one of my sisters. For once, I can understand where Freddie was coming from.
“Please listen to what else I have to say.” I pluck a vibrant pink flower from a nearby blossom and hold it under Pippa’s nose.
Her eyes dip as she inhales. “Peony. One of my favorites.”
“I’m sorry I ruined my opportunity to find out what color dress you were wearing to prom so I could give you a rose that matched.”
From behind her glasses, Pippa’s eyes widen with shock.
20
PIPPA
My heart leaps in my chest, attempting to make a getaway, hollering,Take cover! Save yourself!
I gaze at my hands, looking for the prick of a thorn from an adversarial evil witch from a fairytale, but there isn’t one. I try to detect humor in Chase’s expression, but his eyes are bright, sincere, and as sparkly as ever.
“I’m sorry for what happened next. Or what you think happened,” he says, continuing his explanation of the sponge prank.
“What do you mean?” My voice is almost a whisper. My heart continues to knock against my ribs.
“You sat down with me,” Chase says.
I remember the jolt of shock at his request, followed by the surge of hope. It was like everything I’d hoped for during all my senior year daydreams was coming true. The words I’d written in my diary make me cringe now. I was so immature. Sometimes I still am.
Chase Collins has finally noticed me. We’ll soon be walking to classes together, meeting up to study, falling in love...
A bee buzzes and then lands on the trellis post, reminding me that the sting came next. It’s just as real at this moment in the garden as the sun fades, as it had originally been in the cafeteria at Hinnifin Hall.
I can almost hear the laughter, see Marlow’s vicious smile from across the table, and feel the burn of humiliation that I was unable to shake for days, weeks, months—even years—afterward. A pair of tears form in my eyes. I try to blink them away.
Chase’s gaze doesn’t leave mine, nor does it falter. “I’m sorry.”
The sky turns dusky and a gentle breeze blows, ruffling my hair. But for once, it isn’t him. Nor does he call me kiddo or Pippag Thomzeg.
