I grunt an acknowledgment and head for the sink. There’s a tall stack of dishes that’s piled up from our cooking. I grab the sponge out from under the sink and start washing.

“It’s Cassia Nolan, right?”

I still, my hands submerged in soapy water. “What?”

“She left with an Oceanography textbook, Holden. I’m thirty-six, not blind.”

“It’s just…it’s not going anywhere.”

Footsteps sound behind me as my dad walks over. He adds the meat thermometer to the pile of dirty dishes. “That’s a damn shame. Because what you’d call nowhere? I’d say it looks like a place worth exploring.”

Then he walks off, leaving me alone to question everything all over again.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CASSIA

I’ve never seen the main hallway as empty as it is right now. Staying after school on a Friday isn’t a popular choice, unsurprisingly.

I shut my locker with a slam that echoes and head for the main doors, all of Mrs. Golden’s advice whirling around in my head. I asked her to be my faculty advisor for my college applications. Her suggestions were useful. They’re also stressing me out. They sound like more pressure. Everyone seems to expect perfection from me. Seems to assume I’ll have no problem rising to the occasion and doing exactly what needs to be done.

Another figure appears up ahead, heading out toward the parking lot, same as me. I swallow a groan when I realize who it is.

Grace glances at me, her expression equally displeased. She waits until I reach her. We’re an awkward amount of distance apart, where she has no choice but to stop and I have to hurry to close the space between us.

“Hi, Cassia.”

“Hi, Grace.”

I thought New York might have been the end of the forced pleasantries between us, but apparently not.

“Staying after?” She smirks a little, like it’s a perceived weakness. I’m not sure what her point is. She’s here too.

“Yeah. I had a meeting about college applications.”

“Of course you did.”

I say nothing. Non engagement has always been my preferred choice of tactic when it comes to Grace. If she wants to take subtle jabs at me, she can feel free.

“How are you? I haven’t talked to you since the senior trip.” There’s a mix of annoyance and curiosity in Grace’s voice. She obviously noticed Holden stayed behind with me.

I’m tempted to laugh. She’s making it sound like us talking isn’t the rare occurrence it is.

“I’m fine, thanks.”