This Girl: A Novel

that I was in love with you.”
    The corner of her lip curls up into a grin. “And what night was that?”
    I tilt my head back until it rests against the concrete siding and look up to the sky. “Not a good one.”
    She kisses me at the base of my throat. “Tell me anyway,” she whispers.

i love her
    “CAULDER, ARE YOU sure Julia said it was okay for you to stay the night?” He’s rummaging through his dresser looking for socks while Kel loads a bag with their toys.
    “Yeah. She said I can’t come over tomorrow night because they’re having family night, so I should spend the night tonight.”
    Family night? I wonder if that means Julia is finally telling Lake she’s sick. A knot forms in my stomach and I instantly become nervous for her. “I’ll get your toothbrush, Caulder.”
    I’m in the bathroom packing a bag for Caulder when I hear yelling coming from outside. I immediately run to the living room window and see Lake storming out of her house toward Eddie’s car. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but it’s obvious she’s pissed. Her face is almost the same shade of red as the shirt she has on. She swings open Eddie’s back door and turns around, still yelling.
    That’s when I see Julia.
    The look on her face makes my heart sink. Eddie’s car pulls out of the driveway and Julia is left standing at the edge of the yard crying as she watches them pull away. As soon as the car is gone, I swing open the front door and run across the street.
    “Is everything okay? Is she okay?” I say when I reach her. Julia looks up at me and shakes her head.
    “Did you tell Lake that I’m sick?” she asks.
    “No,” I answer immediately. “No, I told you I wouldn’t.”
    Julia stares down the street, still shaking her head. “I think she knows. I don’t know how she found out but she knows. I should have told her sooner,” she says, still crying.
    The front door to my house slams shut and I spin around to see Kel and Caulder making their way out the front door. “Boys! You guys are staying with me tonight instead. Go back inside,” I yell. They roll their eyes and groan, and then head back into the house.
    “Thank you, Will,” Julia says. She turns to head back to her house and I follow after her.
    “Do you want me to stay with you until she gets back?”
    “No,” she says quietly. “I just want to be alone for a while.” She walks inside and closes the door behind her.
    I spend the next two hours debating whether to text Gavin. It’s killing me not knowing if Lake is okay or not. I wait on the couch with the living room curtains wide open, watching for her return. It’s after eleven o’clock now, and I can’t wait a second longer. I throw caution out the window and grab my phone to text Gavin.
    Is Lake okay? Where are you guys? Is she spending the night with Eddie or coming home tonight?
    I don’t have to wait long before he replies.
    Yes. Movies. No.
    What the hell? Could he not elaborate a little?
    How can she be okay? And why the hell would you guys take her to a movie when she’s this upset?
    Two minutes go by without a response, so I text him again.
    Is she still crying? When are you guys bringing her home?
    I wait a few more minutes without a response, then begin texting him again. Before I hit send, my phone rings.
    “Hello?” I say, almost desperately.
    “What the hell are you doing, Will?” Gavin yells into the phone. “You’re acting like a psycho boyfriend.”
    “Is she with you right now?” I ask.
    “The movie just let out, she’s in the restroom with Eddie. I came outside to call you because I think you might need a reminder that you’re her teacher.”
    I grip my cell phone and shake it out of frustration, then put it back to my ear.
    “That doesn’t matter right now. I saw her leaving after she found out about her mom’s cancer. I just need to know that she’s okay, Gavin. I’m worried about her.”
    I get nothing but silence. Gavin doesn’t respond, but I can hear background noise so I know we’re still connected. “Gavin?”
    He clears his throat. “Her mom has cancer? Are you sure?”
    “Yes, I’m sure. Has Lake not told you guys why she was crying when she got in your car? Julia doesn’t know how, but Layken somehow figured it out.”
    Gavin is silent again for a few more seconds, then he sighs heavily into the phone. “Will,” he says, his voice lower than before. “Layken thinks her mom has a new boyfriend. She has no idea she has