12
P A R I S O N R E P E AT
show any signs of having a crush. Ever. That last one, I’d learned
the hard way.
In sixth grade, I’d told my then best friend about liking David
Patel. The next day, the whole sixth grade class knew, up to and
including David. My shoulders hunched even now just thinking
about the teasing that had followed. For once, moving had been
a relief.
But caution had its own consequences. For nearly two years,
I’d liked Jace, and for two years, I’d bitten my tongue and told
no one, not even Reggie. It felt like the kind of secret that might
sprout wings and fly right out of my mouth if I wasn’t careful.
Then again, sometimes it was more like an alien about to rip
through my stomach with a wave of gore and screams. Hard to
tell which it was at the moment.
Today was the last day of the trip, school would end a week
later, and then this summer Jace was moving back to the States.
He’d already been overseas four years, practically an eternity
in military life.
Things are going to change
, I swore. No more fear. If I couldn’t
tell him my feelings in
Paris
of all places, I’d never be able to.
Love could survive, even across the ocean. It happened all the
time in the movies. Reggie would take the chance, no doubt. I
would do the same.
I snuck a glance at Jace demonstrating the proper form for
some kind of soccer move. The fluttering in my stomach grew
worse. I liked everything about him, from his messy black hair
to the way he knew everyone’s name. Of course, classes were
