“No!”
Julian started walking away from the dorm, and Tinsley was forced to follow him. They passed a couple of underclassmen carrying black musical instrument cases. “You’re twisting my words when I’m trying to apologize.”
“I’m trying to understand you, Tinsley.” He shook his head slowly as he stared straight ahead. Tinsley had to hurry to keep up with his long strides. “Because, you know, you can never just tell me what you’re feeling. Why didn’t you say this to me
before
you broke up with me?” He pulled his knit cap lower down on his head. “Three weeks ago, you were breaking up with me because I wasn’t a virgin—and you didn’t give me a reason then, either. Or a chance to explain.”
“I…” Tinsley opened her mouth, but nothing else came out. He was right, in a way. But that was only part of the story. Two overfed squirrels scampered across the path and Tinsley fought the urge to kick snow at them.
Julian stopped walking. He took a deep breath as he played with the zipper on his coat. The dimple beneath his lips was nowhere in sight. “Look. I really like you. I might even be in love with you. But I can’t keep doing this. You get mad at me. You don’t tell me why. You break up with me. You come back and apologize. Then it starts all over again.”
“You’re breaking up… with me?” Tinsley’s knees buckled. Further up the path, she saw the bench where she’d first met Isla. She wished it was closer, because she felt like she might pass out. It couldn’t be over with Julian. Not for real.
“You broke up with me, remember?” Julian took a deep breath. “I’m just not giving you a chance to do it again.” He turned to walk away.
“Wait!” Tinsley felt her heart in her mouth. He couldn’t leave her like this.
“I’m sorry,” Julian said, his voice sadder than she’d ever heard. He leaned forward, and Tinsley’s heart leaped. But he just pressed his lips to her cheek and gave her a quick peck before he spun around and walked, very quickly, away.
Tinsley watched him walk down the path until he disappeared into a cluster of people at the steps of Maxwell. The photo of herself in her red bikini was still in her pocket, but she was too shocked, and too proud, to race after him now. Instead, she headed back to his dorm and slipped it under his door.
Even if he didn’t want it, it was his, and his alone.
Instant Message Inbox
| IsaacDresden: | My dad said you came to see him today. Why’d you do that? |
| JennyHumphrey: | I had to. It was really nice of you to protect me, but the party was my idea. I should get in trouble along with everyone else. |
| IsaacDresden: | I still think you’re crazy, but oddly enough, I think you scored points with Dad for it. |
| JennyHumphrey: | What about points with you? |
| IsaacDresden: | You’re already way ahead in my book. |
| JennyHumphrey: | What about U? R U in trouble? |
| IsaacDresden: | Grounded. Indefinitely. |
| JennyHumphrey: | Can you sneak out for coffee? I feel like I still owe you one. |
| IsaacDresden: | Good. I’d like to keep seeing you—indefinitely. |
Instant Message Inbox
| BennyCunningham: | I was just in the dean’s office and you won’t guess what I heard. |
| SageFrancis: | What were U doing there? |
| BennyCunningham: | Picking up my coat. And dropping off brownies. Whatever. Do U want 2 know what I heard or not? |
| SageFrancis: | What, that the dean’s no Marymount? That he’s letting Easy Walsh back into Waverly cuz he saved his little girl’s life? |
| BennyCunningham: | Bitch. So U already know? |
| SageFrancis: | Everyone does. Wonder what that means for Callie. |
| BennyCunningham: | I’ll tell you one thing it means—she’s gonna have some competition for EZ. I think Isla may have a crush on her knight in shining armor. |
| SageFrancis: | Told you Jan Plan wouldn’t be boring. |
Blair Waldorf, Serena van der Woodsen,
Nate Archibald, Dan Humphrey, and
Vanessa Abrams went off to live their lives.
Now, they’re coming home for the holidays.
A lot can change in a few months…
but some things never do.