CHAPTER ELEVEN

CASSIA

I’m scrolling through my music library, looking for a playlist to listen to, when someone takes the seat next to me. I gape at Holden, watching as he adjusts the seat and pulls a water bottle out of his bag.

“What are you doing?” I hiss, glancing around at the surrounding empty seats.

“Sitting.”

“Why are you sitting here?”

“It was open.”

“So is half the bus,” I tell him.

The PTA chartered ten coach buses for the senior trip to New York City. There are tons of other seats available. Most people are taking advantage of having a row to themselves to stretch their legs out or set their bags on the seat instead of the floor. Yet Holden—six foot two Holden—is folded into the cramped seat next to me, so close I can smell cinnamon and feel his body heat.

He swallows a sip of water and then turns toward me. “I’m sorry.”

“For invading my personal space?”

His lips quirk. “Two seats are meant for two people, you know.”

Whatever expression I make in response coaxes a full-blown smile out of him.

“That’s not what I’m apologizing for, though. I’m sorry about Monday night at Graham’s. I shouldn’t have asked about why you stopped playing. It’s none of my business. It wasn’t then, and it isn’t now.”

I hate that he’s apologizing. Not only because it’s uncharacteristic, but because he looks like he actually means it. Earnest and sincere. But what I really hate is that it forces me to acknowledge that I overreacted, and the only reason I did is because Holden has a much stronger hold on me than I would like.

The truth is, he is the main reason that I stopped playing. I associate the sport with him. But that’s not something I planned to ever acknowledge, and I hated that he was asking me to.

“It’s fine.” I look out the window at the high school’s parking lot.

We haven’t even left yet. There’s a four-hour drive ahead before we’re in the city. Four hours is a long time to sit next to someone you were hoping to ignore.

This trip is mandatory, otherwise I wouldn’t be here. It’s a final attempt to impart wisdom on the graduating class; to give us a glimpse of freedom before we’re set loose on the world next spring. That’s the school line, at least. Every student knows it’s an opportunity to let loose under limited supervision. Rumor is a girl got pregnant on the trip a few years ago.