Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Coach looks back at Christian and Holden, and they take that as their cue to stand. They walk behind the row of seats to retrieve something out of a large box, then make their way up to the podium, each of them holding a side. They prop it up on the stand, then remove the black fabric to reveal a large shadow box that holds Daniel’s jersey, with the number sixteen below his last name. A couple of pictures line the side of the frame, along with what appears to be a quote that I’m unable to read from where I’m standing.
“I’m happy to announce that we’ve made that happen. This will hang in the gymnasium lobby. That way a piece of Danny will always be with us here at Sawyer Point High.”
People clap, and some guy—presumably from the basketball team—cheers loudly before a couple of his friends join in. Holden and Christian bring the jersey back to the box behind the chairs before returning to their seats. Once the noise dies down, a projector screen to the left lights up. “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan plays as a picture of Danny as a baby fills the screen, then one as a toddler holding a basketball, one of him and Thayer on the beach at maybe four and five years old, another one of all three brothers opening presents on Christmas morning.
When he reaches middle school, it becomes a timeline of all of his awards and achievements, everything from sports to academics. As the song winds down, the pictures become more recent. A shot of him during a basketball game after scoring the winning point with his hands in the air as his team runs to bombard him, one of him in his cap and gown at graduation. His senior photo. And the last one is of Danny, Thayer, Holden, and Christian at the falls, of all places, standing in a line with their arms over each other’s shoulders. I remember that day. It was one of the last good ones we had all together.
My chin starts to tremble as the tears I’m trying so hard to keep from falling finally spill over, and Valen puts her arm around me, pulling me into her. She sniffs, and I know she’s crying, too, as I wrap my arms around her middle, careful to hold the candle away from her. My shoulders start to shake, and I turn my head into her chest to hide my face. The only thing worse than crying is crying in public. Not that anyone would fault me. There isn’t a dry eye in sight. Still, I feel like I’m under a microscope, like everyone reads into every little thing I do.
A loud sound coming from the top of the steps has me pulling back to see Thayer storming away, his chair tipped over behind him. The crowd parts as he cuts through it. I want to follow him, to make sure he’s okay, but people are already suspecting something as it is. I can’t risk raising his dad’s suspicion. As he’s passing me, I catch his palm in mine. He doesn’t look at me, keeping his gaze forward, but his thumb glides over my wrist, caressing the faint scar there. The entire thing happens in less than two seconds, and then he’s prowling toward the parking lot.
Holden stands to go after him, but William stops him with a hand on his shoulder. He says something in his ear, and Holden’s nostrils flare, his jaw set tight as he reluctantly takes his seat. The slideshow ends, and August thanks everyone for coming.
When the crowd starts to disperse, I blow out my candle, then hand it over to Valen. “I’m going to talk to Holden.”
She nods. “Go. Call me later.”
I pull her in for a hug, seeing Holden and Christian walking away behind her. But they’re not going for the parking lot. They’re going around the school, I’m assuming for the student parking lot, while August and Samuel are distracted by people giving their condolences and commending their generosity. I start in their direction, but my mom calls my name, stopping me in my tracks.
Shit. I forgot she was here.
“Where are you going?” she asks, concern etched into her features. Her eyes are glassy from crying, but she still looks like a million bucks.
“Oh,” I hesitate, trying to think of something. “I need to grab something from my locker before they lock up for the night,” I say, hitching a thumb over my shoulder.
“Okay. Want me to wait for you?”
“No, that’s okay. I’m supposed to meet up with Valen. If that’s okay with you…”
She twists her lips, considering, and every second feels like an hour because I just want to find Thayer. But first, I need to talk to Holden.