Page 253 of Tell Me I'm Enough

You’re…fine.

I get up and head to the bathroom again anyway.

I brush my teeth one more time. Aggressively. My gums sting. I swish mouthwash until my eyes water. Then gum.

“Get it together,” I mutter to myself as I run a hand through my hair and head out.

The campus is already buzzing when I step out of my car.

Parents are everywhere—moms with crossbody purses and coffee cups. Dads in polos and sunglasses, walking around like they’re inspecting the entire place. Little siblings trailing behind, either bored or with their faces in a screen.

There’s a big banner stretched across the student center lawn:WELCOME TO FAMILY WEEKEND.

I shove my hands in my pockets and start walking toward the check-in tents near the stadium. My stomach twists tighter and tighter the closer I get.

I don’t see him yet, though.

Good.

I’m halfway across the lawn when I spot Simone. She’s standing with her parents near one of the information tables, laughing at something her mom just said. Her hair’s down today, soft curls falling around her shoulders. She’s wearing this white sweater with a pink tank top and jeans. She looks—

Sogood.

She looks like home.

She looks as serene as my brain feels when I’m around her.

I can’t explain why, but when she’s anywhere around, I can feel my brain let out this relieved breath, like just being in her presence calms my nervous system.

She spots me at the same time I spot her, and her smile shifts, softening for me.

God.

Don’t strike me if you’re up there. I’m actually calling on you right now. Begging, actually, for you to let me keep this girl in my life.

I don’t think I’ve asked you for much over the years, if anything, actually. So if you could do me that favor, that’d be pretty cool of you.

I swallow and walk toward her, forcing my steps to stay even, confident, normal, not like I’ve been trying to keep my balance all morning, and get the spinning to even out.

She lights up as I get closer. “Hey.”

“Hey,” I say, praying my voice doesn’t sound as tight as my chest feels.

She turns slightly. “Mom, Dad—this is Mason.”

My heart drops into my stomach.

I’ve never met a girl’s parents before.

Ever.

I instantly straighten without thinking about it, wiping my palm subtly against my jeans before I reach out to shake her dad’s hand.

“Mr. Edwards,” I say respectfully. “It’s really nice to meet you, sir.”

He takes my hand. His grip is firm, steady. He’s taller than I expected, and has kind, quiet eyes.

“Nice to meet you, too, Mason,” he says.