June 22, 11:21 PM

RJ.Reads: How did the big event go??!? I’ve been sending good bookish thoughts your way all day.

BookshopGirl: I don’t really want to talk about it if that’s okay.

RJ.Reads: That bad? Did no one show?

BookshopGirl: No, there were plenty of people there.

RJ.Reads: I hope you at least sold a lot of books? (he says, not sure how to get out of this conversation that his friend clearly doesn’t want to be having)

BookshopGirl: It wasn’t just the event, though that was awful. The whole thing brought up some stuff from the past. I’ve been thinking about it all day and can’t seem to stop.

RJ.Reads: I’m sorry.

BookshopGirl: Thanks.

BookshopGirl: You know how characters in books always have a wound from their childhood that drives their growth and the plot? Do you think all people have that, too?

RJ.Reads: I think we all have many, many wounds. Some that we don’t even understand. That’s why therapists have jobs.

BookshopGirl: True. What do you think your wound is?

BookshopGirl: Never mind—that’s none of my business. Sorry!

RJ.Reads: No, I don’t mind sharing.

RJ.Reads: Mine probably comes back to never being enough. I was the participation trophy kid in a first-place family.

BookshopGirl: I can relate.

RJ.Reads: No way. You were probably the smartest person in your high school.

BookshopGirl: Maybe—but then I went to college where everyone was the smartest kid in their high school. I didn’t have what it takes to finish. I had to drop out during my senior year.

RJ.Reads: I’m sorry. I bet that was rough.

BookshopGirl: It was awful. Not just because I dropped out, but because of everything that led up to it.

RJ.Reads: Like…?

RJ.Reads: Sorry, you don’t need to tell me. Just letting you know I’m open to hearing more if you’re wanting to share.

BookshopGirl: Maybe another time. I guess my point is, I can’t shake this deep-rooted fear that I don’t have what it takes to succeed. Not at college. Not in my job. Not in life.

RJ.Reads: For what it’s worth, everything I’ve ever seen of you has made it clear that you’re smart, hardworking, and passionate. I get the sense that you have the ability to overcome whatever life throws at you.

BookshopGirl: Thanks. I hope that’s true.

BookshopGirl: Anyway, that’s probably my wound.

RJ.Reads: Thanks for trusting me with it.

BookshopGirl: Thanks for listening.

12

Ryan

I’m sitting in my second-favorite nook before the store opens, about to push play on an audiobook, when my phone rings. It’s Xander.