“My only friend, at times. Is that bad?” “I should get back before it gets dark.” I stand and start down the dock because somehow my cheeks are flaming again, and my humiliation has only gotten worse. I am proud of being a “nerd,” but it does sting sometimes knowing it cements my place in people’s lives. “Emmy,” he says. I stop and look at him. “Are we still?” “Still what?” He takes a step closer. “Friends.” He looks so earnest when he says it, I almost think he missed talking to me as much as I missed talking to him, though likely for entirely different reasons. “Yeah,” I say. “Of course.” He
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