Performed by Shawn Mendes
ELEVEN YEARS AGO
HER: Are you okay?
HIM: I can’t stop seeing the blood.
HER: You saved her life.
HIM: I knew better than to take her to the dance, Maise. Even though I told her we were just going as friends. I knew better…
HER: This isn’t on you. You’ve always been honest with her. The rumors about Delilah that Chelsea started just so she could win a stupid homecoming crown are more to blame than you are for being a good friend.
HIM: When the sheriff showed up, at first, he thought I’d hurt her.
HER: WTF? No! No way anyone could ever think you’d do something like that.
HIM: I was covered in her blood, Maise.
HIM: God. It’s all I can see.
HER: Meet me at the treehouse.
HIM: It’s one in the morning.
HER: So what. If you don’t show up, I’ll just come to your room. Your back door is never locked.
HIM: Bring something to read. Somethingwithoutblood and gore.
HER:The Princess Diaries?
HIM: *** puke emoji *** Romance?
HER: A comedic coming-of-age story with a cat who makes me snort-laugh.
HIM: Fine. This one time, and one time only.
HER: If I were the type of person to bet, Imight actually suggest one because I think if you gave romance a chance, you’d be hooked.
PRESENT DAY
As Maisey left the yard, Istalked after her. I was cursing myself for exposing the cracks in my resolve to her almost as much as I was cursing her sister for being the bitch she’d always been. Neither of us was worthy of Maisey.
I was an asshole for even considering having sex with her when it couldn’t be more than that. But the moment Maisey had uttered the words about giving anything to experience passion and sin for one night, I’d yearned to be the one to give it to her.
But she should have more than just one night, or even a handful of nights, of passion. She should have it every night for the rest of her life.
I could give it to her. I could give her forever if I’d only let myself believe in it.
Even as the thought took root, the smoke that was nothing more than a figment of my imagination took hold. I was smart enough to realize I was still trapped in my childhood bedroom with fire burning outside my door. My body had been saved, but my heart had been charred to a crisp.
And I’d never do to Maisey what I’d done to Del.
The guilt from that horrible night still ate at me.
Del had been on edge with all the cruel rumors, and I’d thought giving her one night of fun at the dance would help. I’d told her I was only taking her to homecoming as a friend, that it couldn’t be more. I’d even told her I was going to keep an eye on Maisey, who was still reeling from her mother’s death and hadn’t heard what Carter was saying about her behind her back. I’d been unable to tell Maisey the truth about Carter, afraid it would break her heart, and instead, I’d driven the last splintering wedge into Del’s.
When Delilah had texted me the day after the dance, I’d ignored it at first, frustrated she hadn’t listened, annoyed she’d tried to kiss me when I’d dropped her off at home. I didn’t understand why she couldn’t just be happy with my friendship.