Private (Private 1)

boy’s dorm room with the door closed.

138

K A T E B R I A N

P R I V A T E

139

“What are we doing?’ I said again.

a new one activated before they found out. My parents already think

“I’m sorry I missed today,” he said, taking my hand and kissing I’m irresponsible enough.”

it. “I wanted to make it up to you.”

Ah. So it was this other, parental phone that had gone missing.

My heart thumped, but I turned away. He wasn’t actually sug-

He leaned over and plucked the first cell from my fingers. “This gesting we hook up here. Now. In his room. A girl could get expelled one I pay for. This is the number all the important people get.”

for this type of thing. I picked up his cell from his desk, stalling for He reached by me and placed it back on the desk. He was inches

time.

away. “I don’t need my parents checking out my bill and prying into

“I see you found this,” I said. “Where was it?”

my life,” he said, looking deep into my eyes. “It’s just easier this Just then, another cell phone bleeped. I glanced at Josh’s side of way.”

the room, but then Thomas whipped a second phone out of his

I felt sorry for him. That he had to go so far to separate himself pocket.

from these people who were supposed to love him. Of course, I had

“Hang on,” he told me. He flipped the phone open and turned

to move hundreds of miles away for the same reason.

away from me. “Pearson.”

“Have you decided what to do? About parents’ weekend?” I

I stared down at the phone in my hand. He had two? Why did he

asked, looking down at my fingers.

have two? Wasn’t one extravagant enough? And if it was always with He took a deep breath and blew it out. “No. You?”

you, you would never need another.

My heart hurt whenever I thought about my father. He had

“No. Yeah. That’s fine,” Thomas said quickly into the phone.