“I just had no idea,” he continued in a near-whisper, like he hadn’t heard me. “I had no idea it was even possible tofeelthis way about a person…”
His words almost knocked the wind out of me.Who are you?I almost asked, looking at him. I’d never heard Charlie sound this romantic—thisinvested. My heart twisted, thinking of Nick again. I admired my projector and white sheet, framed with twinkly lights. He’d built me amovie theater, in mydormroom. Had I even said thank you? “This is so great!” I remembered gushing, but an actual thank you?
Emma would’ve said thank you.
She deserves him, I thought sadly.I don’t, and might not even someday.
“Hey, Sage,” Charlie said before my eyes could completely well up. His voice was still quiet. “Will you send me that picture?”
Luke left first, moaning and groaning about yet another group project. “It just won’t get done,” he said as Charlie buttoned up his peacoat for him, then affectionately smoothed its sleeves. “I gave everyone a task, but if I don’t go over the Google Doc tonight, who knows what we’ll have to turn in tomorrow…”
I laughed. “You’re a mad dictator.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I delegate.”
Charlie fake-coughed. “Mad dictator.”
Luke gave us the finger on the way out.
“Sneak me downstairs?” Charlie asked a while later, and once safely outside, we joked about Luke probably hunched over his MacBook and grumbling.
“No, I’ve seen him in action,” Charlie said. “If he doesn’t like what someone’s done, he changes it. He explains why, but he still changes it. Total power move. And by the end of the explanation, they apologize tohim.” We walked across the yard, toward Belmont Way. “It’s really impressive.”
“Didn’t you guys once do an assignment together?” I said, looping my arm through his. It was freezing tonight. “In the fall?”
“Uh-huh.” Charlie nodded. “But there was none of that. We literally wrote it together.”
“Well, that’s because you’re top of the class.” I zapped his side. “Andpossiblybecause he was already hypnotized by you.”
“No, he wasn’t,” Charlie said. “And that’s the best part.” He sighed. “Luke loves me, but he’s not hypnotized by me.” His eyes were crinkling in the streetlight’s glow. “You know what I mean?”
I smiled and squeezed his arm. “Yeah, I get you…” I said at the same time I heard footsteps and a familiar voice calling out: “Are you guys gonna put an announcement inThe Bexleyan?”
A beat later, Nick became visible in the lamplight. I had no idea where he was coming from or where he was going, but I knew what hethought.Charlie and me walking alone, my arm crooked through his, smiling at each other…
“The newspaper?” Charlie asked. “What are you talking about?”
His twin gestured at us, and I quickly unlocked our arms. “Youand Sage,” he said. “It’s happened. Finally. The wait is over. You guys are…” He hesitated. “Together.”
“No, we’re not,” I said the second I felt Charlie stiffen. “We’refriends, Nick. That’s it.”
Nick released a frustrated sigh, a sigh that sounded like he’d been suppressing it for ages. “You’re unbelievable. Both of you.”
My brows knitted together. Where was this coming from?What about winter break?I wondered.What aboutThe Holiday, and the barely baked brownies? Things were good, weren’t they?
And he had Emma. Nice, perfect Emma.
“Because this is ridiculous,” he continued. “You both aren’t with anybody, and it’s obvious you’re totally head over heels for each other.” He took a deep breath. “Justbetogether already. I’m sick of this bullshit, and so is everyone else.”
We all stood there in shocked silence. “Nick…” I breathed, mind racing for something to say. But before any brainstorms struck, Charlie stepped in.
“Let’s go for a walk, Nick.”
“What?”
“A walk,” Charlie repeated. “You and me.” He took my hand, and I realized what was happening when he squeezed it. I squeezed back as hard as I could.
“I have homework, Charlie,” Nick replied. “I’m going back to Mort.”
