Your notes are enlightening too. I always figured you were kind, but you seem to have an extra batch of empathy that most people lack. I like the way you look past appearances and make your own guesses. There’s always a backstory, right?

So, you’re a Raisinets girl, huh?

Give me a Butterfinger any day of the week. I’m also pretty good with M&Ms. No sharing required, if you know what I mean.

You do, don’t you?

I feel like I could write you anything, and you’d know what I meant.

V

* * *

You’re sweet. I love that you’re a candy freak like me. Can I call you Butterfinger boy? Or maybe the M&M man :)

There’s nothing like sugar to really comfort the soul though, right?

Oh man, that’s so bad! Talk about unhealthy living, but seriously…sugar is good for the soul. I truly believe that ;)

I’m also a fan of romantic movies and novels. They’re good for the soul too. Anything where love wins… you can’t beat it. Love is the strongest weapon on this planet. That’s what I want to spend my life proving to people.

C

* * *

You amaze me.

I wish you were right, but unfortunately hate is like a nuclear bomb. I live with it every day. It’s this disease that eats and devours anything good around it. I wish I could look at the world the way you do.

I wish love was stronger than all the bullshit.

V

* * *

It is.

Love will ultimately win. People deserve happy endings. They deserve to be understood and cared for. I know that’s often not the case, which is why there are people like you…and me. You go in with your fists at the ready to physically defend. My style’s different—I hug, I listen and try to encourage with my words. But they’re both forms of love, and if enough people could do that, this world will be a better place.

Am I sounding cheesy right now?

I’m not delusional. I know the world will never be at peace, but I’m going to do my part to spread the love and create peace where I’m able.

That’s why I want to get into humanitarian work. There’s a world of people out there who need to be shown a little love and kindness. There’s a whole world in Armitage that needs the same. I’ll focus on that for now ;)

C

Folding Chloe’s note in half, I press it against my chest before slipping it into my pocket. This girl is amazing. Her attitude toward life. Her outlook. I’ve never met anyone like her.

We’ve been passing notes for just over a week now and with each new letter, I fall a little harder. It’s dangerous and I should stop. Someone like Chloe shouldn’t be with me. She’s too innocent and hopeful to truly understand the darkness in this world. She wants to save it with hugs and words, but she’s dreaming.

Problem is she’s making me dream too.

She’s making me imagine what life outside of Mancini-land could look like. For the first time ever, I’m really thinking ahead, finding the courage to imagine rather than just tell myself I have to get out.

She’s helping me see what “get out” looks like.

It’s inspiring.

No doubt dangerous, and possibly a waste of time, but…

I don’t want to stop.

If anything, I want to get closer.

Which is why when Chloe turns the corner and starts walking my way, I step into her path before thought can stop me.

She glances up and kind of jolts when she sees I want to talk to her. We haven’t spoken two words since the night I dropped her at home. It’s all been through secret letters. But I want to hear her voice again.

Tipping my head to the left, I spin and start walking away, hoping she’s understood and will follow me.

I don’t stop walking until I’ve made it down the flight of stairs and am tucked into a private alcove near the music room. Hardly anyone ventures down here during lunchtime…except for Velocity, and they’re always too busy playing to notice me.

Holding my breath, I lean against the wall and hope.

My fingers curl into a fist, my heart rate accelerating as excitement and fear battle for top position.

She’s not going to come.

She won’t follow. Why would she?

“There you are.”

Her soft voice makes me jerk and bolt away from the wall, nerves scouring my insides.

She’s right there. Close enough to touch.

Her blue eyes sparkle with a smile. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I rasp, then clear my throat. “Uh, thank you for your notes.”

She tips her head, her nose wrinkling. “You don’t believe me, do you? You don’t believe in happy endings.”

“I wish I could,” I murmur, drinking in her beauty while I can.

She’s going to say no. She’s going to prove me right.

Pulling her sleeves down over her hands, she leans her weight to one side and smiles at me again. She’s waiting for me to explain why I brought her down here.

My throat goes dry. I’ve never asked a girl out before. Not like this, anyway. I usually hook up with chicks at clubs or parties. It’s spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment stuff that has no lasting effect. I’m usually supposed to be working for Enzo, so the girls are a nice reprieve.

And Chloe’s nothing like them.

“Did you want to talk to me about something?” she finally asks.

“Um…” I swallow, then lick the corner of my mouth. “Yeah, I… Do you want to go out sometime?”

Her lips part, like this question was the last one she was expecting.

“Just to hang out and talk. You know, so I don’t have to wait hours for your reply.”

“Oh, I…” She bites the tip of her tongue between her lips, crucifying my hope and reminding me that my worldview is more realistic than hers. Girls like her don’t date assholes like me.

She looks to the ground. “I’m not sure. I—”

“That’s okay. You don’t have to.”

“No, it’s just—”

“See ya later.”

I push past her and walk away before she can come up with some lame excuse.

She should just tell me she doesn’t want to, but that’s not her style.

She’s too nice.

Too sweet.

She’d never just come out with the ugly truth like that.

Shoving my hands in my pockets, I storm up the stairs, my mood blackening as I stalk down the corridor.

“Fuck this,” I mutter, veering for the exit.

I’ll get detention tomorrow but I don’t give a shit. Right now, I just want to drive up to Cherry Top Hill and stare at the view for a while. No one else will be there at this time of day, and it’s a quiet space where I can vent a few screams and punch the air for a while.

It’s a hell of a lot better than sitting in some classroom trying to learn when I know deep down that it’s a big fat waste of time.

I’m not getting out of this shitty life.

I shouldn’t let Chloe’s notes affect me so bad.

I shouldn’t have let myself dream.