Here's to Us (What If It's Us #2)

by Becky Albertalli

It must’ve been a lot easier for Arthur to get over me. He got to return home to Georgia and then go to school in Connecticut, two places I’ve never been. Meanwhile I had to act like I didn’t see Arthur-sized footprints all over the city we walked around together.

People don’t warn you that heartbreak is a chronic condition. Maybe it quiets down a little over time, or you can muffle it with distance, but the ache never quite dials down to zero. It’s there lurking in the background, ready to flare back up the minute you let your guard down.

“Okay. Are you the obstacle? Is California the happily ever after? Or . . .” Jacob pauses. “Are you the guy running to the airport to stop him? Are you the protagonist?” “I . . .” I blink. “How would I even know that?” “Here’s a hint.” Jacob smiles. “It’s your life. You’re always the protagonist.”

I thought I remembered this feeling, but I must have remembered through glass.

The way his touch lights me up, leans me forward. I think he’s italicizing me.