Excerpt

Jackie woke me up with her barking. It was almost noon but I had been up all night watching Sarah on T.V. The rumors about her freaked me out, but they had to be just rumors. I tried to sleep through the barking, but she just kept going. After 10 minutes of no luck, I got up to see what was wrong. Jackie was standing on the couch and barking at the window.
“What’s wrong, girl? Do you see a dog?”
She only looked at and then continued to bark at the window. When I looked out I saw Sarah standing in the pouring rain.
I left the apartment and ran downstairs and to the door. “Sarah, are you okay?”
“Everything’s all messed up.” She sobbed.
“Is it true, then?” I asked.
She nodded “What am I supposed to do?”
“Come inside. Where it’s dry.”
“No. this suits me.”
I sighed, thankfully I had my sweatshirt. I stepped out into the rain and stood in front of Sarah.
“It’s okay. It’s going to be fine.”
“Are you kidding? I’m totally screwed.”
I touched her gently “No. No. Please believe me. You have me.”
She shook her head “I don’t want you to pity me or feel responsible.”
“Then why are you here?”
I caught her as she burst into tears, “Because you make things better?”
“That’s what I’ll always do.”
“Huh?”
I would have gotten down, but I was in my favorite jeans and it was all wet and muddy. I pulled the box out of my sweatshirt.
“Oh no”
“What’s wrong?”
My dad said that this was like a questioning a witness in court. You’re not supposed to ask a question that you don’t know the answer to. But I really thought I knew.
“You shouldn’t” she said
“It’s not just about that.” I promised. “After everything that’s happened in the past few weeks and months I’ve learned that you mean everything to me. I like having you around so much that there is something missing without you.”
The miserable look was failing from her face and I could see her not-so-humble smile appearing. “Really?”
“Yeah. I knew you were awesome awhile ago. But you’re so awesome that there’s this whole without you.”
She smiled evilly “Am I like a drug to you?”
“You wish.”
“I think I am.” She raised her eyebrow.
“Is this your way of saying yes?”
She smiled “I think so.”
I pulled on her hand “Come inside.”
When we were inside I wasn’t sure what else to say. “Do you want anything?”
“Your couch” She laughed. “Come on Jackie! Sit with me.”
Jackie joined Sarah on the couch. I sat down on couch near her. She seemed pretty happy, and that made me really happy.

From: Marcus
Can you come now?
12:15 PM

From: Mitchell
What’s wrong? Are you okay?
12:17 PM

From: Marcus
It’s Sarah
12:18 PM

From: Mitchell
I’m on my way. Is it true?
12:19 PM

From: Marcus
Yes.
12:19 PM

From: Mitchell
Is she okay?
12:21 PM

From: Marcus
Yeah, I think so.
12:22 PM

From: Mitchell
Did you ask her?
12:25 PM

From: Marcus
Yes.
12:26 PM

From: Mitchell
And she said?
12:27 PM

From: Marcus
Yes.
12:28 PM

From: Mitchell
Yay! I’m almost there.
12:29 PM