Page 52 of See You in Your Dreams

Still…what if the rumor going around is about Ash after all?

A vision of Ash and his aunt lying in the middle of the road amid smoking wreckage lodges my heart in my throat.Stopbeing morbid,I chide myself, rolling my shoulders and erasing the scribbled line I’d left on my homework.You don’t even know for sure anything’s happened.

Faint whispers from nearby draw my attention and I glance over to find Elliot from my American Lit class once again engaged in intense conversation, this time with a girl named Kelly. Biting my bottom lip, I scooch along the bench toward them. They fall silent when they notice my approach.

“Hey guys,” I say, offering a fleeting grin before lowering my voice. “Do you know anything about some car crash?”

Elliot and Kelly glance at each other. My stomach performs anxious flips while I await a response.

Eventually, Elliot leans in conspiratorially, “Well, Kyle’s dad is an EMT, and word is that he was called to help out with a bad crash on the interstate last night. I don’t know all the details, but they’re saying it involved a student from Banton High and they’re now in critical condition.”

Kelly shakes her head. “Iheard the student died on the scene. Susie’s uncle works at the hospital, and that’s what Susie said.”

Elliot shrugs. “Beats me.”

They resume their original conversation while I slide back to my original spot. My heart racing, I take out my phone and check my messages, relieved to find new texts this morning from Robbie in the group chat. I’d already seen Cat earlier in History and Alexis in American Lit, so that means my friends at least are all right. Nothing from Ash though since last night.

I send him a quick text, then pull up my web browser and search the local news. While I find a few vague mentions of a car crash late last night, there’s nothing about who was involved. The police must not have made the details public yet.

Switching back to my messages, I check on my conversation with Ash. No reply, but that’s not too surprising. Ash isn’t the best at responding, and he should be in the middle of class rightnow. I tuck my phone away, struggling to tamp down my nerves. Clearly, no one knows the full story yet. And even if Elliot’s right and a student from Bantonwasinvolved, what’re the odds it was Ash?

Despite my self-assurances, the anxious pit in my gut only grows as third period drags on for what seems like forever. By the time the bell rings and I rush into the hall toward Econ, I can barely think straight.

I may have only known Ash for a couple months, but he’s become such an integral part of my life. If anything were to happen to him…

Barreling through the crowded corridor, I ignore the shouts and glares from other students as I shove past them. The only thing on my mind is getting to Econ and making sure Ash is all right.

I reach the classroom in record time, skidding to a halt in the doorway. My gaze quickly scans the room, terror gripping me when I spy Ash’s empty seat. My vision trembles around the edges, and I can feel my entire world close to shattering apart.

“Any particular reason you’re standing here blocking the door?”

Ash’s rough voice washes over me like a comforting blanket. My shoulders sag as a breath whooshes out of me. I turn to find Ash wearing a half-smile, one eyebrow cocked. His grin fades when he sees my face.

“What’s wrong?” His expression darkens. “Has Tommy been harassing you again?”

It takes me a moment to find my voice. “No. Well, I mean, yes, but that’s normal. I’ve been hearing everyone talking all morning about a car crash. And then when I got here and you were missing, I thought…well, I guess I let my imagination run away from me.”

A light blush colors my cheek, but I don’t sense any judgment or mockery from Ash—only compassion as he steps in and hugs me. “Trust me, I knowallabout losing control of your imagination,” he murmurs. “But it’ll take more than a car crash to keep me away from you. I’m not going anywhere.”

Except for as far away from Banton as you can get the instant you graduate…while I’ll still be stuck right here.

I shove the unwelcome thought aside, focusing instead on how right Ash feels in my arms.

Someone loudly clears their throat behind us. “I’m all for gay love, but you mind doing it somewhere thatisn’tin the way?”

Embarrassment heats my skin as Ash and I pull apart, moving to our seats. Now that I’m not out of my mind with worry, I manage to actually pay attention as Ms. Pederson runs through her lecture on pricing structures. I even jot down a few notes.

However, my morbid curiosity remains. Assuming this whole thing isn’t a bullshit story someone made up and a student here really was involved in the accident last night, who was it?

Ash and I make our way to Mr. Simon’s classroom for lunch and find the others already there. We’re just settling in to eat when the loudspeaker crackles to life.

“Good afternoon, everyone. This is Principal Clayton speaking. As many of you are likely aware by now, a rumor has been percolating through the school, and while I’d hoped it might run its course, I feel it best to address it.”

Sudden apprehension fills me. I snag Ash’s hand, gripping it tightly. He offers a comforting squeeze as the principal continues.

“It is with great sorrow that I confirm that one of our own was involved in a car crash last night. Details are still sparse, but initial reports suggest that Greta Mathers lost control of her vehicle and collided with a tree. Fortunately, she survived, though her condition remains critical. I’m certain we will all bethinking of her as we pray for a speedy and painless recovery. Thank you.”

The loudspeaker cuts out with a hiss. Ash and I lock eyes, his expression as stricken as my own. A deafening silence chokes the room.