Self

Chapter 18

They split up, not exactly on the best of terms.

Wade turned to leave when Yara greeted him with a sunny wave. “Hey, it’s been a while.”

As they walked home, Yara steered clear of the earlier tension,

keeping the chat light and breezy. “I owe you one for the other day. I’ve been nailing my problems left and right.”

Wade shrugged off the praise. “You just catch on quick. Have you been to see the professor lately?”

Yara kicked at a pebble, taking her time. “Nah, just a couple of calls. She’s bouncing back fast and should be back at school soon.”

Wade nodded. “That’s good to hear. She’s always been all–in on her teaching. I bet she’s climbing the walls, having to take a break.”

The evening crept in as a cyclist weaved by. Yara’s foot found an uneven stone, and she wobbled, teetering on a collision course with

the bike.

In a flash, Wade’s hand shot out, snagging her wrist and yanking her to safety, the bike zooming past. “You good?”

Wade’s fingers were warm against Yara’s wrist, even through the thin fabric of her summer shirt. Heat rushed to her ears, leaving them.

tingling.

“I’m fine, thanks.”

They were so close she could feel his breath, almost as if she could reach out and touch it. With a sudden jolt of self–consciousness, Yara stepped back.

Wade seemed to snap out of it and released her hand.

The rest of the way home, neither of them spoke.

Once inside her house, Yara replayed the moment in her head, magnifying every detail–the warmth of Wade’s touch, his minty breath, those intense, dark eyes.

She glanced down at her wrist, rubbing it as if it had been burned, still feeling the warmth.

After a heated debate on his way back from the lab, Wade was

sweaty and uncomfortable. He slipped off his shoes and into his flip- flops, ready for a refreshing shower.

He grabbed his phone to order food and was stopped short by a pop- up ad–a pair of bear slippers for just 9.99 dollars. They were just like the ones Yara wore, which made her tiny, round toes and pale instep

stand out.

The image of her delicate wrist, which he could encircle with just one hand, flashed in his mind, her skin even paler than he remembered.

Sunday arrived with a scorching sun and a sky painted blue and white.

Xandra picked out a light green dress with ruffled edges and tiny yellow flowers, giving her an artsy, fresh vibe. She spent an hour perfecting her makeup.

From the top bunk, her roommate said, “Why is this sleepyhead up before noon on a weekend, all glammed up? Someone’s got a date with our little fairy here, hmm?”

The last time Xandra and Yale locked lips at the school entrance, the news spread like wildfire across the forums. After that, every soul at the University of Science and Technology buzzed about how Xandra was officially off the market.

A girl nearby chimed in, “Do we even have to guess? It has to be Mr. Johnson. Hey Xandra, it’s your birthday today. Mr. Johnson’s

probably got some awesome surprise planned for you, huh?”

Slipping on her sunflower earrings, Xandra felt a flutter of excitement, though she played it cool. “I’m not sure, maybe?”

Her roommate was about to dig deeper, but catching a glimpse of the clock sent Xandra scrambling for her bag and shoes. “Let’s catch up later. I’ve got to dash!”