All I caught was that one of the girls was also named Jessica, and the boy who noticed me was named Jacob.

Now and then, his lips would move, so fast it looked like they were trembling. But, when I asked, he told me he was singing to himself; it was too low for me to hear.

It’s too bad you didn’t figure that out earlier. You could have saved yourself all this regret.

I thought we were past all the evasiveness.

There was uncertainty in his voice. He was really giving me a choice — I was free to refuse, and part of him hoped for that. It was a vain hope.

It was nice to be alone, not to have to smile and look pleased; a relief to stare dejectedly out the window at the sheeting rain and let just a few tears escape.

When they’d lifted me away from the car, I had seen the deep dent in the tan car’s bumper — a very distinct dent that fit the contours of Edward’s shoulders… as if he had braced himself against the car with enough force to damage the metal frame…

But I really did like Jacob. He was someone I could easily be friends with.

How come you aren’t strapped to a gurney like the rest of us?

I was expected, a topic of gossip no doubt. Daughter of the Chief’s flight ex-wife, come home at last.