ever。 I'm starting to feel a little strange。〃
〃Oh no； not you； too！ Do you want me to drive you home？〃
〃No。〃 He shook his head； his eyebrows pulling together。 〃I don't feel sick
yet。 Just wrong。 If I have to；
I'll pull over。〃
〃Will you call me as soon as you get in？〃 I asked anxiously。
〃Sure； sure。〃 He frowned； staring ahead into the darkness and biting his lip。
I opened my door to get out； but he grabbed my wrist lightly and held me
there。 I noticed again how hot
his skin felt on mine。
〃What is it； Jake？〃 I asked。
〃There's something I want to tell you； Bella but I think it's going to sound
kind of corny。〃
I sighed。 This would be more of the same from the theater。 〃Go ahead。〃
〃It's just that； I know how you're unhappy a lot。 And； maybe it doesn't help
anything； but I wanted you to
know that I'm always here。 I won't ever let you down—I promise that you can
always count on me。
Wow； that does sound corny。 But you know that； right？ That I would never； ever
hurt you？〃
〃Yeah； Jake。 I know that。 And I already do count on you； probably more than
you know。〃
The smile broke across his face the way the sunrise set the clouds on fire；
and I wanted to cut my tongue
out。 I hadn't said one word that was a lie； but I should have lied。 The truth
was wrong； it would hurt him。
I would let him down。
A strange look crossed his face。 〃I really think I'd better go home now；〃 he
said。
I got out quickly。
〃Call me！〃 I yelled as he pulled away。
I watched him go； and he seemed to be in control of the car； at least。 I
stared at the empty street when he
was gone； feeling a