“I don’t know.” She puffs up her cheeks, then exhales. “I’m sorry about that.”
I stare at her.
It’s a little late for sorry.
“I was so mad at you. Like, madder than I’ve ever been in my life. You hurt me, Jackson. What you and Liam did really hurt.”
“He didn’t do anything except break up with you,” I say, feeling suddenly defensive of him. “It’s my fault.”
“He and I talked a bit.”
That’s more than I’ve managed. I gave up on texting him, and the one time we made direct eye contact at school, he got a panicked look and turned the other way.
Dr. Jacinto thinks I need to give him space, and she’s right. But I miss him so much it’s turning me inside out.
“Jackson?”
“Huh?”
“I said, I talked to Liam.”
“Okay.”
“He apologized to me for... well. Everything.”
“Everything?”
“For dating me when he liked you. For thinking things would just magically work out. For dropping me once he realized you and Bowie weren’t together.”
I wince.
“Somethingsomething, that was a really shitty thing to do.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I am too.” She takes a deep breath. “I could tell you liked him. And I started to wonder if he liked you too.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Learning sign seemed like a lot for someone who was just a friend.”
“Or a sister,” I mutter before I can stop myself.
Jasmine stares at me for a long time. So long I start feeling awkward.
“So what now?” I ask.
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m still mad at you. For a lot of stuff. You could’ve been honest from the start.”
“Yeah. I could have. I didn’t... I’d never felt like that before. About anyone. It took me a while to figure out. I’m sorry. I should’ve told you.”
“I understand.” She traces patterns across my comforter. “I’m not saying I forgive you. But I didn’t mean to mess up your life.”
“You didn’t. I’ll be okay.”
“Good.” She stands, fiddles with the hem of her shirt. “You don’t have to keep taking the bus. I can give you a ride.”
“I’ll think about it.”
