Page 64 of Only Ever You

Despite myself, I laugh. “You have impossibly high standards.”

“Maybe, but I blame you for that. You’re a good friend…” He trails off, tapping his fingers on the table. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” I take a deep breath. “I’m here to say thank you for being my friend. For standing up for me, for supporting me. It means way more than you realize.”

He frowns, searching my face. “Are you here to say goodbye?”

“Yeah. My flight leaves tomorrow morning.” I lean in and wrap my arm around his shoulders. “Thank you, Cade. Your friendship means the world to me.” Before he can respond or hug me back, I pop up and back away. “Well, I gotta go. I have one more person to thank before I leave.”

He jumps to his feet. “Isla, don’t leave like that. Let’s meet up after school. Please.”

A lump rises in my throat, and I swallow thickly. “I can’t. There’s still so much to do.” I suck in a breath, my chest caving in. “But we’ll stay in touch.”

“Promise?”

“Yeah.” I take another step back and wave. “Bye, Cade.”

I turn on my heel and head out of the library, digging my phone out of my pocket. According to Ash’s text, he’s waiting for me near our History class.

When I find him, he’s standing with his back pressed to the wall, his eyes glued to his phone. The small smile that lifts his lips warms my insides. He might be a jokester, a bit unserious when he needs to be, but he’s always been a great friend, no matter what.

“Hey, Ash.” I stop in front of him.

“Isla baby.” He pushes himself off the wall and hauls me in for a hug. “Glad you’re back. I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I murmur, putting a little space between us. “How are you?”

“Good. Counting down the days to winter break. I need some time away from this place.”

I give him a small smile. “I get it.”

He ducks his head so we’re eye to eye. “How are you? How is your concussion?”

“Everything’s fine.” I lower my focus to my hands, a wave of anxiety washing over me, and pick at my nails. “I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for cheering me up, for sticking by me at the ball when I…” I trail off, the words too hard to get out. Tears prick at the backs of my eyes, but I blink them away. “Thank you for being my friend.”

He steps in close, his expression serious. “Why does it feel like you’re saying goodbye?”

My heart pounds against my sternum, my words a whisper. “Because I am.”

“You’re leaving for Boston? I thought you’d wait till the school year was over.”

“Yeah, we’re leaving tomorrow.” I look up, finding his green eyes locked on me.

“Does Michael know?”

“No.”

“But—”

I step forward and wrap my arms around his torso, cutting him off. “Thank you for everything. I’ll never forget you.”

He sighs, winding his hands around me and squeezing hard. “I’ll never forget you, sweet Isla.” He releases me. “Thank you for not leaving without saying goodbye.”

“I’d never do that to you.” I take a step back, slipping my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “Bye.”

Steps slow and measured, I head toward the exit. The whispers and giggles no longer bother me, like I’ve put a wall between myself and all these people, making it impossible for them to hurt me. A few more minutes, and I’ll be out of this school for good.

“Wow. Didn’t expect to see you here.” Sienna steps into my path, chin lifted, eyes sharp.