“Um.” Feng wiped the tears from his eyes and smiled back at her. “I saved you.” He glanced away.

“It doesn’t feel too good when you save me.” Bugz smiled, rubbing her head. “Besides, I sort of remember saving myself. So what were you doing?” She laughed.

“Well, I tried to save you,” Feng said sheepishly. “But I guess…I was late.”

“Oh god, typical dude. Shows up late to claim the credit.”

“No, no.”

“Listen, bud.” Bugz affected a slight know-it-all tone to tease Feng. “I’m the hero of my own story. I had my own journey, my own moment of self-actualization, fulfilment, whatever, and now I’m about to go kick butt on my own behalf to make my own epic ending. Got it?”

Feng nodded with a smirk. He rubbed his elbow.

Bugz noticed and dropped the sarcastic tone. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” She paused for a second to watch Feng try to play the tough guy and shake his head. “Oh god, I did hurt you.” She almost asked if she was too fat for him to catch her, but as she opened her mouth to speak, Bugz stopped herself. She thought of her skin in the ’Verse. She thought of how different she looked right now. Chubby, crying, hair probably a mess. And yet the boy was still here, still trying to hold her.

Bugz wiped her eyes. “I feel completely exposed. I can’t believe you saw all of this.” Bugz looked at the cut she’d given herself. “You must think I’m crazy and messed up and weird.” She felt a drop of blood trickle down her arm. She sniffed. “But you’re still here.”

Feng nodded.

“Why?” Bugz asked.

“Because I wanted to see you again,” Feng said.

Bugz thought of what he’d said to her in the school hallway.

“I wanted to see the real you,” Feng said, apparently recalling the same moment. “I’m sorry for what I said before. Really, really sorry. That’s not how I feel. You’re beautiful. Inside, and out.” He looked away. “That sounds cheesy.” Feng sighed.

Bugz looked him up and down. “It’s like you said: talking to women has never been your strong suit.” She laughed as she told him she was just kidding. “What about you? You look like you’ve been crying too.”

“Nah, I’m good.” Feng rubbed his eyes, self-conscious now. “I was just thinking about my parents. I don’t even know if they’re still alive or not.”

Bugz took his hand.

“But now I feel like I’ve got them right here with me, no matter what.” Feng tapped his chest.

“That’s a good way to think about it.” Bugz stared at the cottonwoods lining the far side of the clearing.

“I’ve never felt the way I do about you about anyone before,” Feng said, studying Bugz.