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He remains motionless with a straight face until he opens his eyes and pulls on the cord that signals the bus driver to stop.
“Is this where you’re getting off?” I stand up to let him out.
He pushes past me, not acknowledging my existence.
Is following him to his house too much? Probably—but I jump forward, hoping I don’t regret this. A chill hits me in the face as I exit the bus.
He walks fast, but it’s effortless, like he isn’t doing it on purpose. It’s his natural speed.
I hurry after him. I’m not that short, but I feel like I’m practically running to catch up to him.
“This is your last chance,” I call out. “I’m offering you the chance of a lifetime.”
Convincing? Tempting? Nothing. He doesn’t give me a speck of attention.
He turns to walk down the driveway leading to a yellow ranch with white trim. “Come any closer, and you’ll be trespassing,” he says with his face forward, not even giving me the courtesy of looking me in the eye.
He acknowledged me, though. That’s progress. Right?
I bite my lip, trying to figure out what to do. Is there another way to help Annie move on? A way that’s not as hard? There’s got to be. Daniel is impossible.
“Can I help you?”
I spin around.
The girl I saw in the hallway the other day stands behind me. She’s pretty, with long hair tied back in a ponytail. She wears a polka-dotted sweater, which I love, and wide jeans.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
She raises an eyebrow. “This is my house. What areyoudoing here?”
“Oh.” I cringe, cheeks burning. “Well I— Daniel— I’m trying to talk to him.”
She smiles. “Let me guess, he won’t talk to you.”
“How did you know?”
“I live with the guy.” She laughs. “I’m Olive. Daniel’s my cousin.”
“I’m Margo, Daniel’s lab partner.”
She studies me, no doubt noticing how awkward I am standing at the edge of their walkway. “Well, do you want to come inside? I doubt Daniel will come out of his room, but you could try.”
I can’t be trespassing if I’m being invited in by someone who lives in the house. My stomach turns, but I’ve come this far. I’m not about to back out now. “Lead the way.”
She walks to the door, me trailing behind.
My collar is hot and my palms are sweaty. For someone who’s not technically trespassing, why are my nerves on edge? Why does every step feel like I’m wading through cement?
Their house is nice. Very clean and bright. There are big windows that fill the whole house with light, and there are green plants in every corner possible.
Olive kicks off her shoes and heads straight for the kitchen.
Not knowing what else to do, I follow her. It’s not like Ican go knock on Daniel’s door. Even I know that would be crossing the line.
“Do you want something to drink?” she asks.
“Sure,” I reply, standing close to the wall.
