Page 84 of Wherever You Are

After scaring his girlfriend with paintballs, I wouldn’t be surprised if he secretly despised me too.

I take out a cigarette, thinking about lighting it, but I just pinch the cig between gloved fingers. I reach for the buzzer.

As soon as my finger lands on the button, the door swings open.

Shit.

Scorching yellow-green eyes pierce me, and I curse my luck. Rose Calloway, of everyone, has opened the door.

I stuff my fists in my black hoodie, and I watch her assess my Dalton Academy beanie. Why am I even wearing it? I’m not returning to that school. The fact sinks deeper and deeper and burns a hole in my stomach.

Rose doesn’t personally know me. She probably has no idea how old I really am or that I regreteverythingI did to her and her sisters. We’ve shared space, maybe once, during Halloween. I didn’t say anything to her directly, I don’t think.

“Uh…” I stammer and glance at the thin, gangly girl trying to squeeze through the doorway. Lily, my boss at Superheroes & Scones. Right now, she’s the only friendly face.

The tension unwinds in my shoulders when I spot her, but then Rose cracks the door and shifts her body into the space. Blocking Lily from escaping.

“Rose,” Lily whines.

“I got here first,” Rose says to her sister, but her glare remains fastened to me. Nerves rake my spine, and chills creep up my neck.

This might’ve been a terrible idea. I should’ve messaged Willow first.

I realize Rose is waiting for me to speak, so I clear my throat. “We haven’t met.” I outstretch my gloved hand.Polite, I congratulate myself. I’m doing alright.

“Yes, we have.” Every word is frosted, and her grip tightens on the door.

I drop my hand.

“You and your friends sprayed red punch on myinfantdaughter and me with a water gun.”

It was a joke. A fucked-up joke.

They’re celebrities. Characters on television. In magazines. They weren’trealto us. That changed for me, and I can’t tell you the moment it did.

They’re more than just famous. They’re human.I should’ve seen this from the start—I’m at fault here. I know that.

I didn’t break into their house because I knew there were babies and people inside, but that decision doesn’t free me from all the other shit ones I made.

I don’t know how to make amends for everything I’ve done. I’m not even sure I deserve forgiveness.

I’m not sure I want it.

But I have to say something. “It was stupid…I’m sorry…” I chew on my chapped lip. Did that sound sincere? Sickness churns inside of me. I amsofucking sorry.

Nothing I say will ever make it better.

So I think,just get to the point, Garrison.“Hey is Willow here?” I ask. “I know she’s a distant cousin, or whatever…”

Please be here.

“She’s coming around at two!” Lily tells me from inside.

“Lily,” Rose chides, opening the door slightly. Lily’s round face comes into view, and I notice how she tries to narrow her eyes at her older sister—but the glare looks goofier than menacing. Now that I think about it, I’ve never seen her chastise a single Superheroes & Scones employee.

“Willow and Garrison are co-workers,” Lily explains to Rose.

And then Loren Hale appears. Hand on the door, he pries it from Rose’s grip. The door slams into the wall. I can suddenly see everyone.