Idon’t regret calling Mae.
Sitting in my bedroom at my desk, focusing on anything but the homework in front of me, overwhelming relief still pumps through my veins. I hadn’t realized how much I feared for Gracie’s safety until I saw Mae get out of that taxi yesterday. Even if there’s a chance she might move to Florida, I’m convinced we’ll always find our way back to each other. I’d rather she be safe and far than injured and close.
The thing is, she’s lost both of her parents now. I haven’t seen my dad since I was seven, and I hope it stays that way. My mom is more than enough. But losing her, too? I can’t even imagine.
But I do wonder how Gracie’s feeling about all of this. Would she be happy that I took the necessary steps for her safety, or blame me for her dad’s arrest? I know I crossed a line, but I wouldn’t take it back. He wasn’t fit to breathe the same air as her, let alone live in the same house. I shove my homework to the side of my desk and stare out the window at Gracie’s house.
It would’ve been impossible to miss the police car outside last night. I’m just thankful Mom and Tessa were at the movies. If Mom saw it go down, she’d have a lot of questions that aren’t mine to answer.
Gracie and I left things in a weird spot, so I doubt I’ll hear from her. No matter how much I want to run over there and wrap her in my arms, I know she needs some time with Mae. Even though she didn’t show up to school today, I tried not to worry too much, reminding myself over and over again that she’s safe.
Gracie’s finally safe now. Gracie’s safe now. Gracie’s safe.
The affirmations sound like a lullaby in my head, soothing a tightness in my chest. Gracie is the best thing in my life, and I’llalwaysprotect what we have. I just hope I haven’t already ruined it with the Almost Kiss. I bet she’s already forgotten about it, and I don’t want to be the one to bring it up. With everything she’s going through, the last thing she needs is me acting clingy.
I’m anxiously clicking up the lead in my mechanical pencil when I hear a crackly “Danny? Are you there? Over,” coming from the walkie-talkie on my nightstand. I jolt up and snatch it before accidentally dropping it on the floor.
I pick it up and fumble with the volume buttons like I hadn’t already turned it all the way up. I finally find the right one to push. “Gracie? Yeah, I’m here. Over.”
“Glad to see your walkie-talkie still works.”
I scoff. “Everyone knows these are the real bad boys of modern communication.”
“The last time I had to replace a battery, I felt like a pioneer on the Oregon Trail.”
“At least the journey between our houses never results in dysentery.”
Gracie giggles through the static. After everything that happened, hearing her laugh feels like a privilege.
“I’m sure you saw the police lights outside yesterday, so I wanted to let you know I’m okay, at least physically. I’m not hurt.”
“I’m so glad. I was worried.”
“And Danny, you’ll never guess.Maeis here! I’m just so happy. You’ll have to come and see her.” She sounds elated.
“That’s great, Gracie!” I wince as I feign surprise, feeling a trickle of guilt slide down my spine. “I’d love to see Mae again. Do you want me to come to your house tomorrow? I can drive us both after school.”
“Um, I won’t be going to school again for…obvious reasons. But you can still come over after school and hang out with us.”
My body tenses as I imagine how her head looks right now. It must be really bad, because she never misses school if she can help it.
“But I was wondering if you might actually come over tonight…to hang out for a bit.”
My heart starts pounding. Does she want to talk about the Almost Kiss? Or maybe what I said to her?
My girlfriend.
You’d be mine.
I meant every word.
Shit. Maybe she’s freaked out. She has so much going on, and her emotions are likely running high. It was terrible timing to blurt out some of what I feel for her. Mom told me I’d only get one chance with her, and I blew it. Gracie probably just wants to move past this.
“Okay, Gracie girl. I’ll be tapping on your window in a few, over.”
“That sounds perfect. See you soon…over.”
On the way to her window, I tell myself,she needs her best friendanddon’t make things weird about last nightover and over again.
