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A flutter of nerves ran beneath my skin at her question. “I’m thinking that I’m glad I brought you here and shared this with you.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you did too,” she replied. “Things don’t seem quite so bad up here.”

“No,” I agreed.

We returned to our previous silence, though the world around us was far from still. Birds chirped in the trees and a soft breeze ruffled my clothes. I could hear Madi slowly breathing in and out, and the sound was just as calming as the forest around us.

“I should probably get home,” Madi eventually said. I wasn’t sure how long we’d been sitting on the rock, admiring the view, but there was reluctance in her voice, like she didn’t want to leave. I’d finally done something right.

I nodded and stood up, holding my hands out to help Madi up from the ground. Once she was standing, she lingered in front of me, and despite her words, I knew she was struggling to leave this place as much as I was.

“Well, thanks for babysitting me today,” she said, tucking a loose hair that was being pulled by the wind behind her ear. “I’m sorry I wasn’t great company for your day of ditching.”

I hated seeing her self-doubt and wanted to pull her in and hug away her insecurities. I felt unsure how receptive she’d be though. Things were finally starting to go right; I couldn’t mess them up now. So, instead, I stuck my hands in my pockets to stop myself reaching out for her.

“Don’t be silly, you were great company,” I said, earning myself a smile. “Now, let’s get you back to the truck, my beautiful fluffy pancake.”

I turned and walked back toward the trees before she could react. I didn’t wait to catch the glare I knew was coming my way, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t feel it against the back of my neck.

“I thought you said the ‘f’ doesn’t stand for fluffy,” she shouted as she came after me.

I laughed. Today was turning out just great.

12

Madison

Ihad ten missed calls and countless text messages from Hayley when I checked my phone. After Cole dropped me off and I walked through the front door, my phone rang instantly with another call from her.

“Where are you?” she asked as soon as I answered.

“I ditched school today,” I replied, making my way upstairs to my room. “I wasn’t really feeling up to it. Jake and I broke up this morning.”

“I know. I heard. I’ve been trying to get a hold of you all day. I can’t believe he would let you go!” I had to love my best friend for sounding so indignant on my behalf. “I’m already planning the perfect revenge.”

“Hold up, Hayles. We don’t need another revenge operation on our hands. It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not. Jake has been going around school all day telling people you’re a frigid tease and that’s why he had to break up with you.”

My chest tightened and I could barely breathe. How could he say that about me? That wasn’t even close to the reason we broke up. I couldn’t believe he’d be so cruel.

“He really said that?” I finally whispered.

“That’s what Tanner told me. Although I think we all know Jake’s only saying that because he’s jealous. He’s absolutely vile. I refused to sit with him and the rest of those posers at lunch.” My heart warmed at the thought of her taking such a stand for me.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I murmured.

“Are you kidding? I would have had it out with him right in the middle of the cafeteria if I’d come within ten feet of the guy.”

“You probably would have won too.”

“Yeah,” she agreed. “I’ve got moxie.”

I laughed. She totally did.

“So, back to my revenge plan,” she said.

“No revenge plan!” That was the last thing I needed.