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Beautiful
. It makes my
heart flip in a way it shouldn’t.
Steam begins to cloud the mirror, blurring the image. I look away, pumping
the soap until it overflows in my hand. I scrub my hands and my arms and my
face with it, washing everything away and down the sink. Then I apply some
heavy-duty hand sanitizer for good measure.
I dry off, opening the lid on the second trash can and pulling out a bag of
clothes that I carefully put there an hour earlier on my way to Will’s room. Once
I’m dressed, I glance in the mirror one more time before carefully leaving the
bathroom, making sure no one sees me exiting. Good as new.
* * *
Lounging on my bed, I eye my Monday to-do list warily but keep scrolling
through social media on my phone instead. I tap on Camila’s Instagram Story,
watching for the millionth time as she waves happily to the camera from a
kayak, holding the phone over her head to show Mya paddling frantically behind
her.
Most of my time since the secret hazmat operation has been spent vicariously
absorbing Cabo through my classmates’ Instagram Stories. I went snorkeling in
crystal-blue waters with Melissa. Sailing with Jude to see the Arch of Cabo San
Lucas. Basked on the beach with a seemingly not-too-heartbroken Brooke.
Just as I’m about to hit refresh yet again, there’s a knock on my door and
Barb pops her head in. She eyes my med cart for a second and I’m pretty sure I
know what’s coming. “Have you been in Will’s room? His setup looks . . . awful
familiar.”
I shake my head, nope. Wasn’t me. A perk of being a goody two shoes is that
Barb will probably believe me.
I’m relieved when my laptop dings with a FaceTime notification, Poe’s
picture popping up on the screen. I freeze before answering it, silently willing
him not to say anything about Will as I spin my laptop around.
“Look who just got back from lunch break!”
Luckily, his eyes immediately travel over to see Barb standing in the doorway,
and he holds back whatever comments he’s about to make.
“Oh. Hey, Barb.” He clears his throat. Barb smiles at him as he starts
rambling on about pears flambé with some kind of reduction. I watch as she
slowly closes the door, my heart pounding in my ears until I hear the gentle click
of the latch sliding into place.
I exhale slowly as Poe gives me a look.
“Listen. I get what you’re doing. It’s nice.” He looks right into my freaking
soul as usual. “But this thing with Will. Is it really the best idea? I mean, you of
all people know better.”
I shrug, because he’s right. I do know better, don’t I? But I also know more
than anyone how to be careful. “It’s only a couple of weeks, then I’m out of here.
He can quit his treatment then for all I care.”
He raises his eyebrows at me, smirking. “Senate-level dodge. Nicely done.”
He thinks I’m
crushing
on Will. Crushing on the most sarcastic and annoying,
not to mention infectious, boy I’ve ever met.
Time to change the subject.
“I’m not dodging anything!” I say. “That’s your move.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asks, narrowing his eyes at me because he
knows full well.
“Ask Michael,” I shoot back.
He ignores me and changes the topic right back. “
Please
don’t tell me that the
one time you’re finally interested in a guy, he’s a CFer.”
“I just helped him with his med cart, Poe! Wanting someone to live isn’t the
same thing as wanting them,” I say, exasperated.
I am not
interested
in Will. I don’t have a death wish. And if I wanted to date
an asshole, there are plenty without CF to choose from. It’s ridiculous.
Isn’t it?
“I know you, Stella. Organizing a med cart is like foreplay.”
He studies my face, trying to see if I’m lying. I roll my eyes and slam the
laptop shut before either of us can figure out if I am.
“They’re called manners!” I hear Poe’s annoyed voice shout down the hallway
to me, followed by the sound of his door slamming shut a few seconds later.
My phone vibrates and I pick it up to see a text from Will.
Lovers’ spat?
My stomach flips again, but I wrinkle my nose, about to delete the message,
and then the four o’clock reminder for the AffloVest pops onto my screen, a tiny
animated pill bottle dancing. I bite my lip, knowing Will just got the same
notification. But will he follow through?
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