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She looked like… a girl. I was staring, my mouth gaping open. “Trying to catch flies?” she asked.
“Why don’t you two just kiss and get it over with?” Brody said over his shoulder. My eyes widened in horror. “I wouldn’t kiss him if he was the last boy on earth.” “Sure you wouldn’t.” Brody rolled his eyes
She was my favorite person. Even when she got bitchy. Even when she shot me dagger eyes when I talked to other girls. Especially then.
“Because, Lila... if a guy won’t give you his favorite hoodie, he’s not worth your time.”
“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?” “I’ll put them back in the sky for you,”
That night I slept under a sky full of stars. “What happens when the stars fall, Jude?” “I’ll put them back in the sky for you.”
Jude was the lion and I was the bull. I’d figured it out last night. Leo and Taurus. Those were the constellations he’d put on my bedroom ceiling. It was us and I couldn’t figure out why he’d done it.
Being brave meant being honest and owning up to the things you’d done to hurt people.
“It’s only ever been you,” he said, his voice low and husky in the stillness of my quiet bedroom. “Only you, Rebel.”
“We’d prefer you didn’t sleep together at all until you’re out of the house. But if you feel you must do it, you can do it with the door open.” Yeah, well, we couldn’t do jack shit with the door open. My dad laughed as if he’d read my mind. “Exactly,”
“That’s good because I plan to spend the rest of my life with you.” “How can you promise me forever at eighteen?” “It’s the easiest thing I’ve ever done. It’s always been you. I’ve never wanted anyone but you. But...”
We were on a sinking boat and we were going down.
“Baby. I love you. Tell me what I can do to make this better. I’ll do anything.” “Put the stars back in the sky, Jude. It’s so dark and lonely without them.”
The stars are still in the sky, baby. Just open your eyes and look up. On the darkest nights, they shine the brightest. And one day soon you’ll see that you never really needed me to put them back in the sky for you. You’re strong and brave and fierce. You’re a goddamn warrior, Rebel. The real hero in our story.
“And to say you’re sorry?” “Sorry for what?” I asked, curious to know what he thought I had to be sorry about. I knew I had plenty of shit to apologize for, but what did he know about any of that? “For making my mommy cry. When she looks at your pictures, she cries and I don’t like it.”
“You owe me an entire galaxy. I’m still waiting for you to put the stars back in the sky.”
Our love story had played out like a fucking tragedy. Redemption never came easy but I was up to the task.
“Mommy! I’m thirsty!” With a groan of frustration, Jude’s head hit the back of the sofa as I climbed off him and scrambled to get dressed. “I’m coming,” I yelled. “If only that were true,” Jude muttered.
“And you look so fu-udging beautiful.” Good save. Remembering Noah, I’d caught myself just in time. A laugh burst out of her. “Fudging beautiful?” “Uh huh. It’s the sweeter version of ducking beautiful.” “You look ducking beautiful, Mommy,” Noah piped up. I laughed. “Thank you, honey. But let’s not say ducking.” “Okay.” He paused a beat. “You look fudging beautiful.” That made me laugh harder. Lila elbowed me in the ribs. “Stop.”
“Your mommy’s a comedian,” I told Noah. “What’s a median?” “Uncle Jude thinks I’m funny.” Noah’s brow furrowed. “You’re not funny.”
