He’s not at school the next day.

Or the next.

Or the next...

The school week draws to a close, giving way to a weekend that feels long and never-ending.

According to Izzy, it was the flu this time. His dad apparently called the school the morning after his birthday to tell them he would probably be out the rest of the week. He had them pass the memo on to his teachers so they could give Izzy his homework to be dropped off on the weekend.

It’s not unusual for Waylon to miss days at a time. He told me once that he has stomach issues, and that’s why he usually ends up missing days at a time.

Still, I hope it wasn’t the cookies. Maybe I should have made the oatmeal ones Grams said were good for digestion. He always seemed to like those. Maybe they help.

I don’t hear from him at all while he’s out, not that that’s unusual either. His dad hates technology, according to Waylon. He does have his own email account, though, so we sometimes talk through that on weekends if his dad’s not around. I sent an email that first day—the day after his birthday—telling him I hoped he felt better soon. I sent another over the weekend, telling him I missed him. It was risky admitting that, but he kissed me first, right? Then he kissed me back and held my hand and promised me, “Always.”

That has to mean something, right?

But like I said, I’m not too worried. At least not about him being sick. I just miss him. I always miss him when he’s not around. Like I’m missing a limb or something. It’s stupid, but it is what it is.

But it’s different this time.

Worse.

The longer I go without seeing him, or hearing his voice, I begin to think that maybe I imagined it all. Dreamed it.

Did my shy, grumpy best friend actually kiss me?

Did he let me kiss him back and hold my hand and look at me like I was his entire universe?

Just the idea that I could have made it all up in my head scares me more than I want to admit.

I didn’t tell anyone what happened, but I’m pretty sure Grams knows. She smiled at me kind of weirdly when she picked me up that day. Then again, I was smiling kind of weirdly. I couldn’t stop smiling. My cheeks felt hot, and I couldn’t sit still. It was a miracle I didn’t float right up out of the seat as she drove me home.

Monday finally arrives. It’s another crystal-clear day, with only a slight nip in the air.