“Because I know what it’s like to feel responsible for something you can’t change.”
I didn’t understand.
“What does that mean?”
He shook his head.
“It’s complicated.”
I smiled.
“That’s a mysterious answer.”
“I know.”
“You’re weird.”
“So are you.”
I laughed.
For the first time that night, I wasn’t thinking about my scars.
I wasn’t thinking about the fire.
I wasn’t thinking about what people thought.
I was just happy.
When prom ended, Caleb walked me home.
The streets were quiet.
We talked the entire way.
When we reached my house, he stopped at the gate.
“Tonight was fun.”
“It was.”
He smiled.
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
He looked toward my house.
Something changed in his expression.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re doing that mysterious thing again.”
He smiled.
“I’ll explain someday.”
“Someday?”
“Yeah.”
“When?”
“Soon.”
I laughed.
“Goodnight, Caleb.”
“Goodnight, Emily.”
He walked away.
I stood there until he disappeared.
Then I went inside.
I didn’t know that he had spent the entire walk home fighting a battle inside himself.
I didn’t know that he had already made a decision.
And I definitely didn’t know that by sunrise, police officers would be standing at my front door.
The pounding woke me.
