Page 113

“Dude, I can’t believe the sun is out,” he says before grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet. “Come on, let’s take a walk.”

I follow him down to the shore, but when I get too close to the waterline, a wave breaks and rushes up and over my feet. “Oh my god, that’s cold.”

Sebastian laughs. “Why the hell are your shoes off?”

“I wasn’t planning on walking.”

As we fall into a comfortable stride, he asks, “Who’s that kid you sit with at lunch?”

“Noah?”

He nods.

“Just a friend I met last year.”

“I’ve never seen him before.”

“That isn’t surprising.”

He narrows his eyes in jest, and I smile.

“How did your day go?”

He shoves his hands into his pockets. “Fine, I guess. What about you?”

“Same.” Still wondering about what was going on between him and Kassi in the cafeteria, I aim the conversation in that direction when I complain, “Your girlfriend sits next to me in last period.”

He smirks. “Don’t sound so excited.”

“She’s annoying.”

“Yeah,” he agrees, staring at his feet while we stroll along. “She isn’t my girlfriend though.”

He glances my way and shrugs.

“Is that what was going on at lunch today?”

“Nah, that was her being pissed because I never called her to tell her what happened at court.”

He called me though. I was relieved when the judge reduced his sentence from a DUI to a wet reckless and minor consumption, which probably had a lot to do with Sebastian going to Hopewell on his own instead of being sentenced to go. On top of his license still being suspended, he has to continue with his AA meetings every week and check in with his probation officer once a month until he graduates.

He goes on to tell me, “I broke up with her the week I came home.”

“Why?” The question slips out carelessly, and I instantly regret asking.

I expect a reaction out of him, but he gives none when he freely answers, “Because it was bullshit.” When I don’t comment, he fills the space, adding, “Don’t get me wrong, I liked her and all, I just didn’t love her.”

“She lovesyou.” He eyes me curiously, and I shrug. “I overheard her telling Cara in class.”

“She shouldn’t. She doesn’t even know me.”

“Does anyone?”

Keeping his head forward, he reveals, “You know me.”

I keep my eyes on him as he continues to look straight ahead before telling him in return, “You know me.”

When he finally looks my way, he smiles and hooks his arm around my neck as we continue our lazy walk along the beach.