Page 102 of Places We've Never Been

CHAPTER 25

Mom hugged me like we’d been gone for more than just eighteen hours when we arrived at the campsite in Mount Spokane. “Everyone okay?” she asked.

“Yes, are you?” I looked her straight in the eyes, willing her to tell me what was happening.

“We’ve had a relaxing morning.”

Skyler and I would have to find the right time to confront our moms. I started to sit down at the picnic table when I realized I had forgotten my phone in the RV. I went back up the stairs to see that Ezra had already moved suitcases from the side storage and they sat right inside the door. I pushed them out of my way and caught a movement up front, in the driver’s seat.

“You want to drive four more hours or what?” I asked.

Ezra quickly lowered whatever he’d been holding out of my view.

I narrowed my eyes. “What was that?”

“Nothing.”

As I rushed up front, he shoved something behind his back.I immediately wrapped my arms around him, squeezing my hands between the seat and where he was pushing his back firmly against it.

“Stop, Norah.”

“What are you hiding? Why don’t I get to know?”

“It’s literally nothing.”

I felt the edges of a crumpled paper and pulled it out, ripping it a little; then I took off running to the bathroom where I locked myself inside just in time for him to slam against it.

“Norah, seriously, you’re being dumb.”

I caught my breath and smoothed out the paper in my hands. A note. It was a drawing of two stick figures hugging, their eyes hearts. Above it were the wordsI miss you tons!That little punk! He stole one of my notes from Willow!

“Did you go through my suitcase?” I asked, shoving open the door. “Why? I don’t know anything! You do! Or mom. You should go throughhersuitcase.”

“You already did, right? You’d tell me if you found something, if you knew something, wouldn’t you?”

“Would you tell me ifyouknew something?”

“Yes.”

“Same. I know nothing.” I held up the note. “So stop going through my stuff.”

He held up both hands in surrender. “Fine. I’m worried about her, though.”

“Me too.”

My phone buzzed from my bunk, reminding me of the reason I came inside. Willow’s name scrolled across the screen.

“Hello,” I answered. “I’m not alone,” I quickly added because we hadn’t actually talked since she found out I was crushing on Skyler and I was worried those would be the first words out of her mouth.

“Who are you with?” she asked.

“Ezra,” I said. “Tell him to stop stealing my notes from you.”

“Why is he doing that?”

“Because he’s a punk.” I put her on speaker. “Ezra, apologize to my best friend for being so nosy.”

“Hey, Willow,” Ezra said.