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“Or the day after.”

“You looking to party?”

I was so notlooking to party.“Something like that.”

He was thoughtful for a moment before he said, “Yes, there will be a party at my place this weekend.”

“Can I come?” We walked toward the science building. I wasn’t sure what he had first period, but that’s what I had.

“Didn’t you flip me off the other day?” he asked.

“Yes, I did.”

He smiled. “And now you want to come to one of my parties?”

And now I needed to be in a place where a large number of football players would be gathering. “Yes.”

He tilted his head toward me, giving me the once-over, as if deciding if I was worthy enough to attend. “Just don’t announce it on the podcast. I’m not inviting the world.”

Of course he wasn’t. “One, I don’t announce anything on the podcast. I don’t speak. Two, that’s not the kind of thing we would put on the podcast.”

“What would you put on the podcast?” he asked as we rounded the first building and entered the covered corridor.

“You’ve never listened to it?”

“Is it good? Should I?”

“I don’t know your taste. Some years are better than others. I like it.”

“You’ve been listening to it foryears?”

“No comment.” I didn’t want to discuss just how deep Jensen’s betrayal went with Theo, of all people.

He didn’t seem to need me to elaborate. “That’s some serious dedication for someone to come along and steal it out from underyou.”

“Are you the king of unhelpful statements?”

“Just keeping it real.”

“Well, don’t,” I said. “My life is already real enough right now.” Who knew that one decision a year ago, the decision to date Jensen, would change so much of my future. In the alternate universe of my life where I didn’t date him, would he have still tried out forthe podcast without my idea, without seeing me practice? “Today would’ve been our one year,” I realized out loud.

“Really?” he said. “Do you want me to say happy anniversary or…what’s the protocol on this?”

“Definitely no.”

“At least you dodged a bullet, right?”

“Did I, though?” It felt like I’d been hit right in the heart. My future self bleeding everywhere.

He reached out, without thinking, it seemed, and squeezed my arm, as though validating my pain. Then, just as fast, his hand was back at his side. So fast, I thought maybe I imagined it.

“What was your idea for the podcast?”

“What?” I asked, still confused over the unexpected contact.

“You said Jensen tried out with one of your ideas. What was the oneyoutried out with?”

HadI said that? I didn’t think I had told him that Jensen tried out with my idea. Whoever ended up telling him the story of what happened must’ve known. “I wanted to interview a new student every week. Get to know our classmates better.” I shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed by the idea now. It obviously wasn’t as good as I thought.