Page 25

The pond at the back of Rose Town was the rainwater-filled aftermath of some kind of explosion. Near enough to the factory that you could guess how it happened but deep enough that it filled anyone who saw it with unease. It was starting to ice over in spots, the ground at its edge was hard and dry.

The area around this industrial zone didn’t have any of the trees that choked light out of the rest of the city. Out here, the moonlight was bright enough to read by.

“There are wild cherry trees on the other side of the pond, but the ground is soft and loose. It’s dangerous to pick over there,” Hollis said quietly.

Annie sat at the water’s edge and pulled her winter hat down over her face.

“I’m sorry about Jorge,” she said.

Annie wouldn’t meet his gaze. Hollis stayed quiet, expecting her to elaborate, but when she didn’t, he had to ask.

“Why did you like him in the first place?”

Annie sighed. “I don’t think I did? He just... He showed interest and... I don’t know. Saying yes seemed like the thing to do at the time.”

Hollis crouched down next to her. “It’s okay.”

He picked up a piece of gravel and tossed it in the water. Annie sat back so she could watch him throw another.

“I thought you would have more to say about it,” she said eventually.

Hollis stopped and took her in. Her face was splotchy and red, eyelashes spiky, wet: ready for tears. Her big wool coat covered her knees, and her arms were shoved inside the torso with them, leaving her sleeves deflated and empty.

“Why?”

Annie met his gaze. “I know you like me.”

Hollis froze.

There was a version of him that was screaming, horrified and embarrassed. But it was younger than he was, and so far away.

He tossed another rock into the pond. “What does that have to do with you and Jorge?”

Annie shook her head and pulled her hat down. “Nothing, I guess.”

Hollis pressed his lips together tight, now that Annie couldn’t see him, and swallowed until his chest hurt a bit less.

“I know what it feels like to want to be seen,” he continued. “You shouldn’t have to feel bad for liking to be wanted.”

Annie sniffled.

“‘Liking to be wanted... ,’” she echoed.

Hollis smiled despite himself.

“What about you? Do you like being wanted?” Annie asked.

Hollis chucked another rock, hard this time.

“I can’t even begin to imagine what that feels like,” he said. “I’m still focused on wanting to be seen .”

Annie frowned and pulled her hat all the way up.

“Do you know if Yulia...” She paused and swallowed hard.

“What about Yulia?”

Annie glanced at him, cheeks pinking, but Hollis just waited. He knew when Annie needed time.

Finally, Annie opened her mouth to start. But blocks up the street, from where they came, there was a scream.

Hollis scrambled to his feet.

Someone yelled again louder, and there was the sound of frantic footsteps on gravel. Hollis’s heart slammed in his chest.

“We can talk about that later. Let’s go.”