“Don’t… Please don’t…” Those warm, invading tears pooled from her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. She swiped them away but nodded her head in confirmation. She let herself take a final look at Ryan, who to his credit, looked devastated. Likely feeling guilty for taking this walk in the first place. For letting her hold his hand. For kissing her… For breaking his best friends’babysister’s heart.
She backed further and further away from him, until he fell into the shadows, and Ginny felt confident her feet would carry her to the car and back to her apartment.
“I think I get it, Ryan. Tell my family…” she sniffed, swiped her cheeks again, and dabbed at her nose with the heel of her hand. She could feel the ugly cry coming on and she would not be standing in front of Ryan Hood when it happened. “You can tell them whatever you want. I… have to go.”
Then Ginny turned her back on Ryan and made her way home.
Alone.
12
WILLOW
TAYLOR SWIFT
MM,
I want to meet. Please?
At the Sugartree Bicentennial Celebration kick off. By the gazebo? Let’s say around6… 7…8pm. I’ll wear a Hanson t-shirt. Just for you.
A not so secret secret: I’ve always been partial to N’Sync over BSB.
Mood Music
Mood Music,
I don’t know what changed your mind, but I’m in. I’ll bring you an album for your collection and, yes, I made you this friendship bracelet. I won’t be mocked. I just needed to establish myself as the more superior of your pen pals. I hope you like green.
A weird secret: My favorite color is brown. Like toasted almonds or a perfectly roasted coffee with just a splash of milk. It’s weird, but… there it is.
I’ll see you soon,
Melody Man
MM,
Okay. It's happening. We are going to meet. For real.I’m really nervous.
You are firmly seated in 1st place, Mystery Man. The friendship bracelet really sealed the deal.
And… my favorite color is green.
MM
13
SO WILL I
HILLSONG WORSHIP
“I will egg that man’s truck!” Caroline had been furiously pacing Ginny's apartment floor ever since she, Georgia, and their mama had come by to check on Ginny and learned the happenings of their happyfamilydinner party. “I’ll TP his house!”
“I may just help ya,” their mother said, pulling Ginny into a snuggle on the couch.
Georgia brought Ginny a cup of tea and set it on the coffee table before snuggling into the couch on her other side. “I once saw this thing where you can plant the whole yard with thousands and thousands of toothpicks. Like, as far as the eye can see.”
“I thought that was flamingos,” their mama said, perking up.
