“You’re allowed to worry,” I murmured.
His lips curved into a shy smile I didn’t see often.“Yeah, well.I’m still figuring out what the hell I’m doing.”
I felt the very same.I had no idea what I was doing, but in this moment, all that didn’t matter.This felt completely right, and I wanted to live in this moment for what it was—a boyfriend who took his girlfriend out on a lunch date.
Chapter Eight
Iwas still full fromlunch when I went to my last class of the day—gym.Not only did Bryan and I eat the sandwiches but also managed to finish off a slice of salted caramel cheesecake.And he did bring me back in time for my physics class, just like he’d promised.
The gymnasium was filled with noise and movement as the other students chatted, their soles squeaking against the floor.The locker room doors were half-open as I laced up my sneakers on the bleachers, pretending not to notice when Paxon and Justin walked through the one that led to the boy’s locker room.
The two of them walked closely together, their voices low and easy.It had been like that lately with me around.Short conversations, practiced calm, like we were all trying to make things normal again even though we weren’t sure what normal was exactly.
The gym teacher hadn’t shown up yet, which meant everyone was scattered around.A few guys tossed a volleyball back and forth.Some of the girls sat in circles on the floor, chatting while they did easy stretches.
Justin gave me a smile when they joined me before the two of them sat down and fixed their own shoes.
“Hey, Stokes!”
A tall guy I remembered seeing on the soccer team came over.I think his name was Lucas.He jogged over, grinning like he’d just remembered something great.“Man, I didn’t get a chance to say congrats.That program sounds insane.Mr.Teller was bragging about you in class earlier.”
Paxon froze halfway through tying his shoe, his face going pale.
His reaction made me freeze, considering what was happening.Paxon’s gaze flickered to Lucas and then to Justin and even me.
“What program?”Justin asked, glancing up.
Lucas, oblivious to the clear warning Paxon was giving him, went on.“The one in Oregon.A mentorship thing for psych majors?He said it’s hard to even get a recommendation for it, let alone be considered.And Paxon is currently being considered.I have a cousin who did the program a couple years ago and she lives by the entire experience.Said it was game changing for her career path.”
My breath caught before I could stop it.Oregon?
That was across the country.
Paxon straightened and red was creeping up his neck.“Yeah,” he said finally, his tone careful.“It’s...nothing is official yet.”
Lucas laughed.“Dude, don’t be like that.Between Teller’s recommendation and connections, you’re already practically through the door.You’d kill it there.He said they take, like, ten students a year?That’s wild.I just wanted to let you know if you wanted to talk to someone who’s gone through it, I can connect you with my cousin.I’m sure she wouldn’t mind talking you through it.”
