Home is Where You Are (26 page)

The dry, lump in my throat turns into a boulder, and I can’t get any words out.

“Get a life,” Ryan says for me.

“I have one thank you. It’s your friend here who doesn’t.” She puts her hand down on the table and leans toward me. “Don’t think I don’t know about your little crush. I see the way you look at Sean like a pathetic, lost puppy.” Her voice rises and the steady conversations around us begin to dwindle.  “Just accept it, Lexie. You’re a nobody and always will be.”

A whisper comes from my left, a laugh from my right and beside me a hand shoots up, finger pointing in my direction. More whispers echo through the air until they hit me from every angle, flooding my ears till it’s all I hear.

Heat surges through my veins, shooting through my ears and cheeks. I look down at my pinky ring too afraid to look anyone in the face.

Call me a glutton for punishment or whatever the saying is, but I glance up and watch as Sandy struts away and
tucks herself under Sean’s arm. Stupid tears sting my eyes. He turns around, blue irises catching mine. The cold spot on my heart warms when I see the apology on his face. The way he shrugs and offers up a sincere smile.

I might not be good enough for Sean right now, but I can be. And will be. He will love me.
One more year before I leave this town behind. One more year before I’m not defined by things I can’t control.

One more year.

*End of Excerpt*