Drew jerks back like I just slapped him across the face, and maybe I should have because he still looks like he wants to reach for me to pull me back to him. For a moment, it feels like we’re suspended in that freeze frame before the whole world rewinds to detail how I got to be in this situation because I don’t even understand how I let myself get into this situation.

Finally, he shakes his head, flashing me a dirty look before heading back to the house and slamming the door.

Wednesday, July 4

IsleofSunshine posted:

After talking to Noah and giving him the chance to make things right with the Meet Cute Diary, it seems abundantly clear that he is unapologetic for stealing people’s stories and will continue to do so. I’m blocking anyone who continues to follow or associate with that blog, and I recommend the rest of you do too.

Lapislady3 replied: Wow, thanks for warning us. This is awful.

Notyagirl replied: I could just tell he was bad news. Gross.

Undesireable27 replied: Ugh, I blocked him. Thanks for looking out for us!

Load more comments . . .

I walk a few blocks until I finally feel safe and call Devin to pick me up. E pulls up to the curb fifteen minutes later with a somber expression.

“What happened?”

I shrug. “Guess I’m single.”

And e prompts me to go on, but I don’t have the energy for it. I just really want to pretend none of it ever happened.

“Is the party still going on at your place?” I ask.

Devin nods. “Everyone’s just getting ready to start the fireworks. Do you want to join them? I can take you back to your place if you prefer that.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to go home and wallow in just how alone I really am. “I wanna go back to your place.”

So e takes me.

Devin’s mom gives me a sort of pitying look as we enter, and I can’t help but wonder how many of these total strangers know exactly why I’m back all of a sudden. Devin hands me a box of sparklers and I tear into it, fingers clawing hungrily at the cardboard until I finally rip it open and dig into the plastic.

Devin places a hand over mine and says, “You okay?”

I nod, shaking eir hand off. “Just get me a lighter.”

So we light some sparklers, and I try to get caught up in the bright lights and pretty colors.

Devin’s dad motions everyone out to the street so they can start lighting up some of the bigger ones. Eir mom passes me a glass of champagne, which I accept before following everyone out.