Page 26 of Anything (Mayberry University #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Sophie is as upbeat as her road trip playlist, harmonizing to “Leaving on a Jet Plane.” Her song choices are amusingly literal.

Meanwhile, I’m deteriorating into Carl from Up .

What if I tricked Levi? What if he didn’t realize I wouldn’t sit in the front seat?

What if he spent his money and changed his flights and didn’t even have the result he aimed for?

One of the rare times I stood my ground with Sophie was to insist she sit in the front with him. What is wrong with me?

I wonder if Levi is nervous about going home. Maybe his granny is worse. Maybe he’s bracing for a run-in with his dad. And here I’ve been scheming and moping and self-involved . I want to ask, but he’s so private. And Sophie’s here. Because of me.

My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.

Well, I have plenty of weakness.

Sophie is calling me. I ease my mind back to my surroundings and see Levi checking on me through the rearview mirror, brows furrowed in concern. Sweet Levi. His reflection relaxes and grows tender.

It’s even worse with him than with my friends, isn’t it? I didn’t ask him to wait around for me, but I don’t discourage him either. I can’t make his kindness or friendship or gifts worth his trouble. I can’t make myself worth his trouble.

“It’s just her zone-out thing,” Sophie says. “Don’t worry, she’s not mad or anything.”

Levi nods knowingly.