Chapter 3

That night, I couldn't sleep.

I lay in bed, eyes closed, but all I could think about was Elaine.

How she looked sitting in the private room. The way she looked at me. What she said when she stepped in for me. How she stood by the door, watching me walk away.

And then there was that afternoon years ago.

It was senior year, and she was standing at the end of the hallway, sunlight falling on her face.

She was looking at Dean, her eyes gentle.

I rolled over and buried my face in the pillow.

Elaine. Her name…