Page 127 of Lessons in Chemistry

Auggie hangs his head. “I can’t tell my parents. They won’t understand. I’m sorry.”

“We’re not going to be spending Christmas with them,” Em says softly. “You can spend as much of the holiday here with us as you want. I could clear you some space in my chest of drawers.”

Auggie laughs. “Or you could come and stay at mine, where there’s plenty of room.”

“But all my books are here.”

I have to laugh at the shock in Em’s voice.

“Bring them. You’re going to make me study anyway,” Auggie says.

“I am. And we’ll have an essay to write.”

“We will?”

Em nods. “We were given a heads-up about it today. We don’t have the title yet. Weren’t you paying attention?”

Auggie shrugs. “I guess not.”

“I’ll have one too,” I say. “We were given a schedule of all our essays and their due dates at the start of term.”

“That’s organised,” Em says approvingly.

“It’s because most of us are in sports societies, so our lecturers know we’re juggling coursework, practices, and competitions. It’s easier to keep on top of things if you know what’s due when and when all your fixtures are.”

“That makes sense,” Em says.

I sigh. “It’s a special brand of cruel to set assignments over the Christmas holiday.”

“Like when our mock GCSE exams were right after Christmas,” Em says.

“That was awful. I didn’t enjoy the holiday at all that year. And I barely had time to go swimming.”

“We’ll enjoy the holiday this year,” Auggie says. “Yes, we’ll study. But we’ll have fun too.”

“And we’ll be together,” Em says.

“I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to spend the holidays with.” He kisses Em and then me.

“That’s because you adore us.”

“Careful, you’re in danger of being sappy,” Auggie warns.

Em’s smile lights up the room. “Is that a bad thing?”

“Nope. Thanks to you guys, I’ve decided I like sappy.”

I rest my head against Auggie’s. “I like sappy too.”

“It’s settled,” Auggie says.

Emory frowns. “What is?”

“We were made for each other.”

I close my eyes and smile. As sappy as Auggie’s statement was, my heart is convinced it’s true.

24