Closed my test book, I set it and my pencil down. Gazing around the cafeteria, I stared at the worried expressions on my classmate’s faces. I wished my greatest fear was passing an exam. True, I was going through the motions, living my life as I thought it would unfold in this reality. But when it came down to it, I couldn’t care less about the score I’d earn on this exam. I doubted I’d even learn the results before I was back in Judaculla. The desire to rack up AP credits to cut down on the expense of a college I wouldn’t attend was irrelevant.

“Time’s up,” the proctor said. She was a gray-haired woman who’d introduced herself several hours ago at the start of the exam. I’d forgotten her name as soon as she spoke it. “Please remain silent while I collect your test materials.”

Kids stood in a wave as she passed, gathering booklets, pencils, and scrap paper. Abandoning all hope that the group of teenagers would wait patiently, she added. “Once I have your things, you may go.”

I followed the others out of the cafeteria and walked to the student lot, my eyes sweeping the area for Anamae. Her red Camry sat where she’d parked it earlier. I guessed her proctor was better about keeping kids silent and still until the last possible second.

Victor leaned against his car, a smile on his face. He greeted me with a warm hug. “One exam down, two to go,” he said.

Victor moved to the passenger door, holding it open for me. I moved toward it like a prisoner going to the gallows. He cranked the car, then began backing out of the parking space.

I touched his arm gently. “Can we talk first?”

He was silent as he put the car into park and then turned the engine off. “I was kind of hoping we could do this thing without having to talk.” Victor gave me a sad smile. “I mean, really, Leathal. What’s there to say? We gave it a go, and it just didn’t work.”

“What?” I asked, taken aback.

“You’re going to make me say it out loud, aren’t you?” He didn’t wait for me to answer. “It’s not enough that I love you and you love me.” His brown eyes locked with mine. “It will never be enough because I’m in love with you, but you don’t feel the same about me.”

I hated seeing him so defeated, especially since I was the one who’d hurt him. My mind traveled back to a time when he was my whole world. When we were in middle school, I had the biggest crush on him. I smiled, remembering all the times I’d waited for him to climb the trellis that led to my bedroom.