She nods. "What's yours?"

"Blades of Glory."

She pauses for a second, her eyes searching my face before a smile stretches across hers and she cracks up. "Oh my G.o.d." She places her cheesesteak down on the center console. "Your favorite food is crab cakes and your favorite movie is Blades of Glory? You are a walking contradiction, Zack! I thought you were going to say something serious like some random doc.u.mentary on cattle or some s.h.i.t."

I bark out a laugh at her a.s.sumption. "I've got a lot of layers, Rodriguez. Don't be so judgmental."

She smirks. "You're right. You're full of surprises." Her smile turns shy for a brief moment as she shakes her head at me. Then it's gone, and she's back to focusing on her cheesesteak. "Okay, favorite vacation spot?"

"Don't worry, I'm not going to say Disneyworld."

That earns me a snort, followed by a brief chuckle.

"I like Mexico, for obvious reasons."

"Which are?" Maura raises an eyebrow.

"The sun, the beach, the awesome food, and the cheap prices."

She considers this. "Fair enough. So Mexico?"

I shake my head. "Nah, I love it there. But my favorite city I've ever been to is Boston."

"Boston?" Her face is incredulous again.

"You know, you're really bad at hiding your thoughts. What's wrong with Boston?" I toss my balled-up napkin at her, and she moves automatically, reflexively catching it midair before it bonks her in the nose.

"Nothing, I guess. I've never been."

"What? It's an incredibly city. I love the history and the old architecture. Some of the churches are in the Gothic style. And then all the buildings from the Georgian period. It's just cool to see so many buildings and structures that predate the U.S., and they're still standing, still being used." I pause, realizing I'm rambling. But Maura's eyes never leave my face. "Plus..." I grin "...they've got awesome crab cakes."

She smiles back. "Naturally."

"You've really never been? Not even on some school trip?" I ask, thinking that all school tours end up going to some historical U.S. city.

"Nah, we always went to the Liberty Bell." She rolls her eyes.

"Well then, I'll just have to take you." The words are out of my mouth before I consider them. And it's wrong. I shouldn't say things like that to her. Except, as soon as the words are out there, hanging in the s.p.a.ce between us, I realize just how much I want to take Maura to Boston with me.

She laughs nervously and takes another sip of her Diet c.o.ke. "My favorite vacation spot, besides the obvious Wildwood..." she pauses "...you know, because of the memories ..."

I nod, aware that she completely disregarded my comment about taking her to Boston. And I'm not sure if I'm relieved or p.i.s.sed that she didn't react.

"... is Niagara Falls."

I raise my eyebrows. "American or Canadian side?"

"Canadian. I love the Maid of the Mist."

I smile, thinking of a younger Maura and Adrian hanging over the railing of the big boat as it nears The Falls, the spray shooting up and their laughs infectious.

"Yeah, it's pretty special," I agree.

She continues to tell me about the summer she and Adrian went with their parents to Canada. They were thirteen years old and thought The Falls were so cool. I watch her movements, the way she talks with her hands, her shy smile and feisty eyes. And I realize I could watch her talk all day.

Today was the best non-date I've ever had. And I don't want it to end.

The following week pa.s.ses quickly, the days stringing together monotonously as I fall into a routine. Practice, cla.s.s, gym, lunch, cla.s.s, study hall, dinner, Lauren. Every night ends with Lauren's warm body pressed against me and each morning begins with her legs intertwined with mine. I welcome the familiarity between us, the easygoing rhythm we effortlessly fall back into. It's natural. And for now, I let it be.

On Thursday evening, I'm sitting in study hall, working on my thesis proposal when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Pulling it out to steal a glance, I roll my eyes as my sister's face lights up the screen, her red hair bright against the plain background.

I silence the call and walk toward the hallway, shaking my cell at the woman sitting behind the desk. She waves me out of the room, knowing I really do work on school a.s.signments during study hall hours.

"Hey, Nic," I answer as I close the door to study hall behind me.

"Finally. Jesus, you are hard to track down."

"Yeah, yeah. What's going on? I'm in study."

"Right. Like you're really studying that hard during your senior year."

I laugh. "How are you doing?"

"Probably better than you. How's your semester been? Why all the avoidance?"

"I'm sorry," I tell her sincerely. "I've just been really busy. Cla.s.ses are tough this semester. You know since I'm not some random arts major with no real cla.s.ses like some people."

She scoffs. "Political Science has real cla.s.ses."

"Right."

"But not too busy to get back together with Lauren?" she asks directly.

s.h.i.t. How the h.e.l.l does my sister know about me and Lauren?

"Guess you are too busy to check Facebook. Cute pictures from a wine and cheese party." She laughs outright, and I can picture her covering her nose as she snorts. "I love that you went to a wine and cheese party. Who are you and what have you done with my brother?"

I laugh too. "It was lame. You should have seen Marissa. She was wearing one of those-"

"Lily Pulitzer. I know. I saw the pictures." Nicole groans. "Poor Phillips."

I laugh again.

"So, are you guys serious?"

I shrug, rubbing my hand along my face. I need to shave. "Nah, it's chill. You know me and Lauren, it's always laidback. No drama."

"Mmm hmm," Nicole murmurs skeptically.

"What?" I hate when she does that. Nicole is always direct. It drives me nuts when I know she's thinking something but just won't say it.

"Does she know that?"

"Know what? Just come out and say it."

"Well, from my elaborate study of the Facebook photos and my strong insight into how your brain works, I'd wager that Lauren definitely thinks it's serious and is ready to pick things up where you left off junior year. She wants to be back in a serious relationship with you, Zack. Not some chill, no drama hookup."

I groan.

"You know I'm right."

And deep down, I know she's right. My sister is always right.

"Yeah, I guess," I say instead.

Nicole sighs. "Don't string her along, Zack. You need to be honest with her before she starts Pinteresting her dream proposal."

I roll my eyes. "No need to be so dramatic."

"Trust me, I'm not," she says sincerely.

"Yeah, well, I'll talk to her. What's new with you?" I change the subject.

Nicole chuckles but lets me off the hook. "Oh you know, a big fat nothing. I can't wait 'til you come home for Thanksgiving. I'm spending way too much time with Mom and Dad. They're driving me insane. Mom is on a Pinterest binge, and we're making wine cork coasters tomorrow. You know, Lauren would be a good daughter-in-law for her."

I laugh, imagining my Mom clapping her hands excitedly and rummaging through a basket overflowing with ribbon and bits of brightly colored tissue paper as she tries to employ my dad and sister in her new craft.

"You need to move out and get your own place," I tell Nicole.

"I know." She groans. "I really do. I'm just trying to save as much as I can right now. I think I'll move out in the new year. Begin with a bang!"

"That's definitely a good idea." My sister is only seventeen months older than I am and one grade ahead in school. She graduated college last year with a political science degree and is now studying for the LSATs so she can apply to law school, but in the meantime she really needs to get a life and not spend the weekends flea market shopping with Mom or playing tennis with Dad.

"Yeah. Anyway, I'll let you go. I promised Dad I'd watch Ballers with him."

I nod. Right, my dad likes Ballers. "You enjoy that."

Nicole snorts. "At least he makes the popcorn."

"Tell Mom and Dad I say hey. I'll talk to you later. Thanks for calling, Nic."

"You mean thanks for annoying you."

"If it has to be someone ..."

"Gee, thanks. I'll talk to you soon, Zack. Love you."

"Love you too. Bye."

"'Bye."

I end the call and slip my phone back into my pocket.

s.h.i.t, is Nicole right? Am I really just stringing Lauren along because it's safe and easy and familiar? Does she think it's more than it is? G.o.d, I hope not.

And now that my thoughts about Maura seem to be blurring the friendship line, I know I have to be honest with Lauren.

Chapter Eighteen.

Maura

On Friday morning I'm sitting in Photography when Professor Minela pa.s.ses around a basket with tiny folded-up pieces of paper inside. Each student chooses a slip. The words written on it is the emotion or act we need to display for part of our final exam. We are each responsible for showcasing a series of photographs that encompa.s.s the depth, feelings, and truth of the word we choose. And, it counts for a freaking quarter of our final grade.

When the basket makes its way to me, I reach in and take a slip before pa.s.sing the basket to the girl next to me. I take a deep breath, a little nervous to open the slip of paper. So far Photography has been the cla.s.s I'm enjoying most this semester. We've spent the first few weeks of cla.s.s focusing on the technical aspects of taking pictures, how to use the camera, managing the different speed settings, the rule of thirds, etc. Starting next month we're going to actually begin exploring our own creativity through a series of mini-a.s.signments which will lead to the final project.

I hope I picked a good topic.

Taking a deep breath, I open the folded paper.

Broken stares up at me.

My topic is broken.

I stifle a snort.

Is this a f.u.c.king joke? Too perfect to be a coincidence. I should just submit a picture of myself. Final project: completed.

s.h.i.t, how the h.e.l.l am I going to convey broken?

"Everything okay, Maura?" Professor Minela asks.

I nod. "Yep. Everything's great."

She smiles slightly. "Okay, everyone. You have all chosen your final exam a.s.signment topics. Remember, we are going to lead up to this a.s.signment so by the time you present your finals in December, you should feel confident in the quality of your work. Beginning next week, we will use our cla.s.s time for each of you to individually work on your inspiration, creativity, and personal visions. I encourage you to take your cameras with you outside of cla.s.s as well, have some fun playing around with what you can capture over the weekend, hanging with your friends, walking around the city. Use the technical skills we've already learned and remember to enjoy yourselves. I'll see you next week. Have a good weekend." She dismisses us early.