Chapter 16
Tyler apologized in May.
Not in front of everyone.
Not dramatically.
The counselor arranged it, and I agreed only because my mom said I could leave at any time.
Tyler sat across from me.
He looked smaller without his friends.
“I’m sorry,” he said.
I waited.
He continued.
“I was cruel. I picked on you because I thought people would laugh and because I knew you wouldn’t tell.”
That was honest enough to hurt.
I asked, “Why my lunch?”
He looked down.
“Because you cared about it.”
My throat tightened.
He added, “That made it easy.”
I stood.
The counselor looked worried.
I said, “I hear your apology. I don’t forgive you yet.”
Tyler nodded.
“Okay.”
I left.
May you like
My hands shook.
But I did not feel small.
