‘I wouldn’t have got it without you either way.’
‘I’m so proud of you, Zayden.That’s amazing news.’
I beam under her praise, thrilled she is so happy for me.It means a lot.
She doesn’t hesitate or pause when I grab her hand and pull her after me, probably quite rudely, since I still haven’t acknowledged Anya or Cami.We walk fast, ducking around the corner of the library, away from the courtyard and the noise.
She opens her mouth to say something but I press her back against the wall gently and kiss her.Her hands slide into my shirt,fingers curling up the fabric.My hand cradles the back of her neck, thumb brushing her jaw, and she leans into me like she’s been waiting for this just as much as I have.
There’s undeniable heat between us.I pull back just enough to rest my forehead against hers, both of us out of breath.
‘I had to kiss you so badly.’
‘Youhadto kiss me?’
‘Yeah,’ I say, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Her lips curve slowly into a smile.‘Well, lucky for you, I’m not opposed to that.’
She leans in again, pressing a gentler kiss to my mouth.Slower this time.Something softer and a bit deeper.When we pull apart, her fingers are still tangled in my shirt, and my pulse is thrumming.
I take a step back, offering my hand again.‘Come on.Let’s celebrate properly.I’m buying you a muffin.Maybe even two.’
She laughs, tucking into my side as we walk back around the building.‘Only if they’re chocolate chip.’
‘Do I look like a rookie?’
She smiles at the ground, cheeks still pink, and I don’t let go of her hand the entire walk.
15
NORA
NERVES FLOOD MY SYSTEM.
I was thrown by the invitation to dinner and desperately tried to scramble my way out of it, but Zayden insisted we go.He seems almost excited, ready for the challenge, whereas I feel sick to my stomach.
They have the kind of house that smells like lemon polish and something expensive I can’t name.There’s a fountain in the entryway now – because of course there is – and a staircase that curves like it belongs in a movie.A brand-new black SUV sits in the circular drive.They always have something new when I come over and it’s always out the front like it’s being displayed for the street to view.
I study the house, trying to see it with fresh eyes, attempting to guess what Zayden might think about it.It doesn’t look like a home.It looks like a picture in a magazine, belonging to a picture-perfect family that I very much don’t fit in with.
I keep telling myself that everything is going to be fine.They’ll be respectful and polite in front of him.Surely they won’t do or say anything too hurtful.I keep repeating this, even though they have proven that they don’t care who is around when they talk down to me.It’s clear to everyone I am an outsider, but I’d like to be positive about this.I don’t want things to be tense and uncomfortable.
Zayden’s hand slips into mine.Exhaling a breathy sigh, I smile up at him.Despite it all, I’m grateful that he’s here with me.I feel so much less isolated now.I’m so happy he got such good results from the assignment he worked so hard on.I wish we were out doing something fun together, instead of doing this.
He squeezes my hand gently as we walk towards the porch and climb up the steps.Zayden’s eyes lift, examining the gigantic house.
‘Nice house,’ he comments, looking impressed.‘Big.’
The house is ridiculous.Like the kind you drive past in the nicer parts of town and wonder who lives there – and what they do to afford it.
‘Yeah.’
It was strange growing up.My mum had a small cottage on a farm.It was run-down, small and cramped, but it washome.When I would visit my father, he always had big, expensive houses that seemed a little sterile.Almost like display homes.Maybe was never the house, but the general energy of it all, since I felt that way no matter what place they resided in.It was always their home and I wasn’t a part of it.I was simply a guest.An unwanted one.
Zayden knocks on the door.Footsteps descend towards us and I inhale deeply.
You’ve got this, I whisper to myself.Stay calm.
