The Way I Loved You ✓

25. All The Bright Places

All the Bright Places is a young adult fiction novel by Jennifer Niven which is based on the author's personal story. The fiction is written in a subjective style from the point of view of the two main characters, Finch and Violet. [Source: Wikipedia]

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Fun fact: Emily had forgotten about the 'Simon Wallberg' incident. Nathan Callahan had made sure Simon hadn't. It's a good thing, Simon knew how to hide bruises.

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Chapter Twenty Five: All The Bright Places

I was sitting at my study table with The Guest List in my hand, biting my nails as I read. I tried, but I couldn't concentrate. Prom was tomorrow, and I couldn't figure out why Nathan had acted the way he did today, the way he did ever since the dress shopping.

He avoided me in class. When I asked, he said it was alright, but one part of me was afraid that he'd refuse to go at the last second.

Was he regretting asking me?

My insecurities lashed out at me as I looked into the mirror, at my reflection.

I shook my head. I needed to trust him. He worked so hard to ask me out. He even went dress shopping with me. Whatever the reason I was thinking he'd walk out on me had nothing to do with him.

But I couldn’t shake out this fear that I’d be abandoned. That everything would somehow get screwed up and blow up in my face. Leanna would tell me ‘I told you so’ with an eye roll. My life wasn’t a fairytale, and going to Prom holding Nathan’s hand seemed like one.

I closed the book with a snap when a text came through.

It was from Nathan Callahan.

I quickly opened my inbox, and it was a photo. He had sent me a selfie. He was lying on his pillow. But his face was covered with a book, Beach Read.

A relieved sigh escaped my throat as I replied.

Me: are you reading

Nathan: I'm actually done reading

I hadn't read a single page.

Me: so what do you think

Nathan: let me call

My phone started ringing. I smiled to myself before picking up.

“How was it?” I asked.

“Very corny,” Nathan replied, “extremely cheesy. Too many descriptions about feelings.”

I laughed. “And?”

“I loved that her father had a mistress,” Nathan said, “and a secret life.”

I smiled, “Of course you did.”

“The dude was okay, I guess,” he said, “but I think I'd make a better love interest.”

I was glad he was back to his arrogant jerk self, for once.

I chuckled, “You wish.”

“What are you doing?” He asked.

I couldn't possibly tell him I'd spent the entire evening freaking out that I wasn’t pretty enough to go to Prom with him, that he would not want to go anymore.

“Umm, just reading the one I bought,” I replied.

“I looked up the spoilers for that one,” Nathan said as the sneak he was.