He smiled at me shyly and took a step closer. I froze, heart pounding, as he put one hand on my cheek and leaned toward me. I swallowed, gazing up at him with what I...

If he can’t handle it, then you aren’t very good friends, are you?

Another red-letter day in history.

I got through it, and I wore it like a badge of honor—I Can Be Alone and it’s Okay.

So what’s up?” He had one hand behind his back.

When the moment shifts, and you realize you don’t actually want to be alone, that underneath the bravado is an ache that won’t quite fade away, you’re not only aware of how lonely you are,...

I didn’t say anything; I could find no words that would express the swirled chaos of emotions inside me. So I just watched him go right out the door.

Last Resort friends are for getting from, not giving to.

Thanks.” He didn’t say anything, but slowly released my wrist. Before he completely withdrew, I took his hand and interlaced my fingers through his. He looked at me, his lips parted in surprise, but then...

It was nice. Even in high school, I’d mostly had makeshift friends forged by the shared status of outcast. It was rare for me to discuss things so easily to someone outside of my family,...

I suddenly felt the way Cinderella might have felt if she hadn’t had that convenient midnight curfew: my feet were hurting, my hair was slipping free from its pins, and my makeup was getting all...

When I arrived back at Intro to Basic Art again later that week, I thought for a moment we had a new student who didn’t know about the assigned seats. Sitting at my table was...

…you definitely are deep water Dr. Fisher. Fathoms deep.

You have to be a friend to have them.

I need you to just trust me for now without knowing all the answers.

Seriously, it makes sense. He’s always tired and pale, and keeps himself away from people so he won’t bite them….Maybe that’s what he’s doing when he disappears. Getting his fix of blood.

“It’s so peaceful. I could go to sleep in here.” His eyes flickered to me once more, and for a dizzying second I wasn’t thinking about sleep or storms but about pressing my lips to...