by Anna Shinoda
Tomorrow is the first day of my last summer at home. It’s going to be filled with my friends, secret swim lessons for Chris, and teaching the moms at Loving Hearts to knit. Then, in August—college.
After the ceremony Drea, Omar, Lala, Chase, Skye, and I gather together, hugging and grinning, arms around necks and waists as flashes spark and cameras click. Ryan makes his way over, slipping in our group photo next to me.
“Watch out, world. . . . Here they come!” Tonight Dad has traded in his typically goofy jokes for his awkward brand of sincerity. Mom has even dropped most of her rules, just for the occasion. My graduation is, in fact, turning out nothing like I had assumed it would be without Luke here to make sure everything is okay.
Luke. He isn’t here. It’s a quick, passing thought. He’s not here. And that’s fine with me.
“Let’s get a family picture,” Mom suggests as she hands her camera to Ms. P. Skeleton squeezes between Peter and me, his bony fingers somewhat comfortable on my shoulder.
As Ms. P wraps her arms around me and says, “I am so incredibly proud of you,” I feel a sudden pang of sadness mix in with the evening’s exhilaration. It takes me off guard. Leaving my parents behind, and the fresh start that college promises, also means a physical distance between me and Ms. P . . . and my friends . . . and Peter. I hug her back, extra tight, part of me never wanting to let go.
But a bonfire is waiting, and if my friends have mixed feelings, they aren’t showing it. We walk away from the field, from our parents and our past, laughing, speculating about things our futures will bring. With Ryan’s arm around me, Peter and my friends at my side, any sadness I have dissipates. I look back, watching my parents becoming more distant. Skeleton stands with them, raising his glass of brandy in a toast to me. Tonight is a celebration and he knows he’s not invited. But he doesn’t mind staying behind. He’ll wait, knowing I won’t try to lock him in a closet. And I know he won’t lock me away either.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
