If Only We Read Online Free PDF Page B

Even though I want to escape.
    Suddenly, he's approaching me.
    An intensity of feelings mingles with my unease. All of the horrible things that happened yesterday start to unravel. They fall to the ground and people crush them beneath their feet. Yesterday becomes a dream. I can’t remember anything but his sweetness, I can’t hear anything but his charming words, and I can’t see anything but his handsome self. I begin to think that maybe, just maybe, anything is possible. I don’t feel the need to escape. I have control over what will happen next. I can right what went wrong. I can pick that domino up and move it somewhere else.
    He finally reaches me, pulling me in for a tight hug, lifting me up. “Congratulations, Adrienne!” The uneasy feeling dissipates entirely as I let the warmth and strength of his arms wash over me. I hold on to him just as tightly, not wanting the moment to end.
    “Congratulations to you too!” I manage to say. I breathe him in, remembering him as he was those few months ago all over again. It throws me off balance to think about how he is here; he is hugging me and he is not mad at me. I can talk to him. Be around him. It's almost too much to bear. I start to tear up at how happy I am.
    So much for acting normal.
    When we let go, he takes one look at me and says, “Wow, I’m not leaving, you don’t need to cry.” He carefully wipes the tear away. He has a serious look on his face but I can see the corners of his mouth twitching with the urge to grin.
    His playfulness puts me more at ease. I lightly punch him on the arm. “I’m starting to understand the whole theory behind the word bittersweet right now.” At least it’s easy to fake a reason behind the tears.
    My mind comes to a standstill as it tries to come up with the words I should say next. This is where I spoke up. What should I say? My brain can't put a coherent thought together. The words from before circle my head but I brush them aside. I won't let them return this time around.
    Before I am forced into appearing like a complete fool, he speaks up. “You’ve got that nursing home gig coming up soon, right?”
    I nod. “Yeah, I do. It starts Monday.”
    “Really? That soon?”
    “Yep, that soon. It lasts ten weeks…just in time for college…in the fall.” I heave a sigh. Yesterday, I was going to college on Monday. Today, I will be volunteering at a nursing home on Monday. I am going backwards. The dread from last night has returned to me. What does it mean? Am I uncertain about my future? Or is it the rip in the space-time continuum that is creating this doubt?
    Chevy raises his eyebrows. “Whoa, don’t sound so excited.” He pauses to read my face. “You’re not anymore, are you?”
    He can read me so well, always has been able to. It was a rare moment when I could hide how I really feel. Right now, I can’t hide it. I bite my lip. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? I think…I think I haven’t been able to catch up with myself.” I haven't been able to wrap my head around what could be happening, much less understand why my enthusiasm for my career has come to a screeching halt.
    He nods. “Sure, I understand.” He puts a hand on my shoulder. “We can talk about it later.”
    Later—that sounds so nice to hear.
    I give him an appreciative smile. “Was your dad able to get you into the shop?” I ask. His dad works at The Auto Stop, our neighborhood car repair shop.
    “Yep! They were only able to give me two days a week but it’s a good start.” He shrugs. “It’s not like I’m planning on leaving home anytime soon.”
    “That’s true.”
    Out of nowhere, Lyndsay bumps into me from behind. “Hey!” she shouts, giving me another huge hug. “I am so proud of us I could shout it from the rooftops.” She turns to Chevy and hugs him too. Then she grabs my hand and says, “Come on! We’ve got to say goodbye to everyone.”
    I laugh as she pulls me away. “I guess I’ll talk to you later?” I say