Page 25 of Wherever You Are

“We did, but our other option was two tin cans.”

“Right.” I smile at the memory. “What are your thoughts on a cellphone?”

I’m surprised when she shakes her head.Rejected, Abbey.Willow sets down her cookie. “I like seeing you on the internet. I mean we’re not actuallyseeingeach other.”

“You mean my ones and zeroes aren’t making contact with your ones and zeros? I thought they were dancing around each other. My ones know how to waltz but the zeros are just shit dancers. They like to step on other people’s computer code.”

Willow has this giddy smile that’s a little infectious. “If my ones and zeroes could dance, they’d probably still choose to sit down.”

I’d sit down with you.I don’t say it because I’m literally sitting down with her. “What about bobbing for apples?” I ask. “No pressure, honestly.”

“You say that a lot.”

“What part?”

“Honestly.”

I hadn’t noticed. Maybe I’m just scared people won’t know what’s sarcasm and what’s sincere. “Hey, I wanted to mention something…don’t take this the wrong way.” Why am I broaching this now?Don’t scare her or make her feel bad.I almost pause, but I let it out anyway—because I’m that guy. “That comic book character, the one we were talking about earlier, I looked him up again.”

“Elixir?”

“No, the other one.”

“Wither?”

“Yeah, him.” I pause. “He kind of looks like me. For a cartoon.”

“Comic,” she corrects while color drains from her face. “…I like Wither, but I never said youwereWither.”

“Yeah, I know. I just thought it was interesting.” I feel like a dumbass, mostly because she can’t meet my eyes. I’m about to change subjects completely and ask about her favorite part ofSupernaturalseason five, but she points to the apple-bobbing tub.

“It’s free. Do you still want to?”

I wonder if she was just waiting for the crowds to clear out around it.

“Yeah, definitely.”

6BACK THEN – October

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

WILLOW MOORE

Age 17

Things I never thought I’d be doing in Philadelphia: apple-bobbing at Loren Hale’s neighborhood Halloween party.

Beads of water still roll down my cheeks, and Garrison, only a couple inches away, tenderly brushes the wet strands of hair off my forehead. Everything is blurry, and he must sense my unease, so he gently fits my glasses back on.

“Thanks.” I concentrate on his blue-green eyes that dance across my features. He plucks a hair stuck to my cheek and tucks it behind my ear.

My everyday nerves try to subside, and giddiness flutters inside me like confetti falling from the sky. When his other hand skims my hip, I let out a small, nervous laugh. I prefer the giddiness over anxiety, but I can’t really control which comes out first. I’m just not used to touching. Everything is so new.

“Is this okay?” he asks.

I push up my glasses, hoping I can reassure him that I like this so far. “Yeah.” I nod more than once.

“Can I hold you?” Quickly, he adds, “Like put my arm around you?”