Losing Hope (Hopeless, #2)

by Colleen Hoover

“Well, I need to get to class,” she says, her voice monotone. “Welcome back.” She’s being weird. “You’re being weird.” She rolls her eyes and turns back to her locker. “I’m just surprised to see you here,” she says unconvincingly. “Nope,” I say. “It’s something else. What’s wrong?” My persistence seems to be paying off because she sighs and presses her back against the locker and looks up at me. “You want me to be honest?” “That’s all I ever want you to be.”

Just seeing her again, even from a distance, reminds me of why I crave to be around her so much. It’s only been a few days, but since the moment I met her, no matter where I am, I’m constantly wondering about her. My attention is constantly homed in on her like I’m a compass and she’s my North.

Be here at seven. And bring me something to eat. I’m not cooking for you. Rude. I love it.

I’m pretty sure it’s too soon to love her, but shit. She’s got to stop doing and saying these unexpected things that make me want to fast-forward whatever’s going on between us. Because I want to kiss her and make love to her and marry her and make her have my babies and I want it all to happen tonight.

All she did was hug me back, but little does she know she just knocked a whole lot of life back into me.

don’t think she knew that an eight-year-old could have his heart crushed like that. But I was crushed. My heart broke all over again that day. And I never wanted to hear the name Dean again.

“I live you, Sky,” I say against her lips. “I live you so much.” And as perfect as that word sounds, as perfectly as it describes the point we’re at, I know it’s a lie. I don’t just live her. I love her. I’ve loved her since we were kids.

I’ve loved Hope since we were kids. But tonight? Tonight I fell in love with Sky.

I wanted you to be my first, and I’m sorry he took that from you.” “Don’t you ever say that again,” I tell her. “Don’t you ever think that again. Your father took that first from you in an unthinkable way, but I can guarantee you that’s all he took. Because you are so strong, Sky. You’re amazing and funny and smart and beautiful and so full of strength and courage. What he did to you doesn’t take away from any of the best parts of you. You survived him once and you’ll survive him again. I know you will.”

I used to think the best part of me died with Les, but the best part of me is standing right here in front of me.

“You were always there, you know. Even when I couldn’t remember… you were always there.”