Chapter 16: Her Room

Abigail's POV

"You withdrew," I said.

"Abby."

"You dropped out of the school you've planned on since you were fourteen. And you told me it was nothing."

"My school," he said. "I said it was my school."

"That's the same thing, Caleb, and you know it."

He set the laptop on the step. His hands didn't know where to go.

"His office put my award under review," he said. "He'd have pulled it by Friday."

"And the deposit?"

I had seen the receipt under the email. It was $1,500, from an account named TRUCK.

"You spent your truck on me."

"I spent it on me," he said. "I'm the one who wants to be where you are."

"I asked you on the wall not to decide things behind my back."

"I know."

"You did it that same afternoon."

"I know." He swallowed. "Part of it was about my name, and that part was true."

"But I should have told you. I'm sorry."

I stood up so fast the Thai bags tipped over.

I was furious, and I wanted to shake him.

What I mostly wanted was to put my face in his neck and stay there.

"Do you know what it feels like?" I said. "To have someone pay a price for you?"

"Tell me."

"Like I'm being carried again."

He took a step back.

"Abigail, that isn't..."

"I know it isn't." My voice broke. "That's what is so unfair."

"You're standing next to me, and it still feels like the old thing."

"I hate that I can't tell the difference yet."

"Then I'll wait until you can."

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