CHAPTER 76

JESS

The nurse's office was annoyingly quiet, the kind of quiet that

made the ticking clock on the wall sound like a drum in my head, or maybe that was the concussion. Fluorescent lights flickered above my head, and the sharp light was enough to make me squint. As if Luke could pick up on what bothered me, he suddenly stood up and fli Luke had deposited me awkwardly on the edge of the bed, swinging my legs up even though I had full control of my limbs. But the real reason I felt so uncomfortable wasn't the uncomfortable bed or the smell of antiseptic, or the shitty lights - it was Luke. Here. In the same room as me after I...

He was slouched in a chair by the door, this stubborn shadow that refused to leave even though I told him repeatedly. Every time I glanced his way, he'd just raise a brow, giving me this look like, "I'm not moving. Get used to it."

I'd tried to get him to leave. "Luke, you really don't have to stay," I had said, trying to sound casual, but I was practically begging. Then I straight-

up told him to leave, and I even threatened him with the only weapons I could find: cotton balls and tongue depressors, neither of which fazed him.

He didn't even bother replying, just gave me that same look that made me feel stupid for even suggesting it. Eventually, I gave up, sighing in defeat and focusing on the ceiling, counting the

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CHAPTER 71

in the

it got. The air between us was thick. with tension, and I could almost feel it

after what felt like forever, Luke leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees. "Where the hell is this nurse?" he muttered, sounding like he was about

can leave, you know. Not forcing you to stay here.

nurse, not the nurse's room, the nurse. No nurse, ergo, I didn't do what I promi "Now, promises matter, do they?" I

my knee. "Crap," I mumbled, more to myself than to him. There was a small stain spreading on the sheet underneath my leg. "My prom dress isn't going to cover

eye, I saw Luke's expression shift,

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CHAPTER 76

1208 Vouchers

over the chair. It was so fast I almost missed it, but there it was-just a flicker, a tiny

up the entire room just by

prom, anyway? You are the one going to it with

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