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“How’s this?” I ask, stepping back.

Laura stands to look at her hair in a mirror. “It’s perfect. Margo is going to love it.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.

Laura sets her hand on my shoulder. “I know.”

I try not to smile, but I do. I can’t wait to go back tomorrow and braid Margo’s hair for her.

Olive runs into my room at five in the morning. She shakes me awake.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, rubbing my eyes.

“It’s Margo. You need to go right now. She isn’t doing well.”

I jump up and run out of my room. Laura and Rob are up and putting their shoes on. “We’ll drive you,” Laura says.

I nod, finding my shoes. My heart swells. I want to cry, but I hold my tears back by biting my tongue till it bleeds. Margo wants to see me happy. I know that. I will say goodbye with a smile on my face.

We drive to the hospital in silence. My nerves are on edge, and my chest burns with every breath I take. As soon as the car parks, I fly out of the car. I don’t wait for the others. I sprint through the parking garage and into the hospital. I don’t stop running until I’m in her doorway.

I’m out of breath, chest heaving.

I open the door, and my heart plummets to the floor. Margo’s family is gathered around her crying. Mrs. Blakely is almost hyperventilating she’s crying so hard. Her arms are wrapped around Margo. “I’m not ready,” she sobs.

Annie looks up at me and shakes her head.

Margo Blakely, my Margo, is lying in bed, but she’s gone.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

DANIEL

Hot tears pour down my cheeks as I step closer. She’s so peaceful lying there with her eyes closed. Annie steps out of the way, dabbing her face with a tissue.

Mr. Blakely turns his back to everyone, unable to look at her anymore, but he’s crying just as hard.

I stumble forward as the room closes in on me. She looks like she could just open her eyes, but I know I’ll never see her big brown eyes again. I love her brown eyes. I love her. When I touch Margo’s hand, her skin is still warm.

“You said, ‘I’ll see you later,’ ” I whisper, voice cracking.

My head pounds and my tears stream down my face.

Annie touches my arm. “I’m sorry.”

I shake her off, staggering back. I can’t breathe anymore. I open my mouth, searching for air, but my lungs don’t work. My pulse races, my stomach turns, and I have to get out of here. I can’t handle seeing her like this.

I run out of the room, crashing into Laura. She steadies me, holding me up by the shoulders. “Daniel, talk to me.”

My lip quivers as I look at her. “Margo’s—” I can’t finish my sentence. I can’t bring myself to say she’s dead.

Laura puts her hand on my cheek and wipes the tears away, but they come right back. “I’m so sorry.”

She tries to hug me, but I push away from her and run again.

Margo made me feel whole. Now, I feel like half of my body has been ripped away from me. I have a gaping hole where she used to be. I want her to wrap me in her arms and tell me I’ll be okay. I want to listen to her voice. I just want her.

I’m not ready to let her go. She was supposed to be there when I showed up. I was supposed to braid her hair.