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Prologue

Emilia

“WE SHOULD PLAY HIDE and seek,” I whisper

Gavin only laughs

“You’re only saying that because it’s the only game you kno to play”

“What? That’s not true,” I cross ames”

“Really?” He raises an eyebrow and looks at“Name one, then”

“Tag,” I say boldly, but this just h even more

“Tag? Really?” He shakes his head “That’s a child’s game”

I look at my friend We’re both in middle school now, so we’re hardly children In fact, there are a lot of things about me that are decidedly not childish Gavin hasn’t see into a wo into a man I’ve seen the way his hair has darkened over his lip, how he’s gotten taller He hasn’t seeh That bothers me a little bit

“Then what?” I ask

“Soets so bored at these events, and I can’t really bla in an e of the house while our dads have their s is dull If our mothers were around, they could entertain us, but they’re off doing so else, so it’s just me and Gavin

“Like what?”

“Like a ga infants, Emilia,” he says

I cringe at the words, and he instantly reaches for me

“I’ to freak you out”

“It’s fine,” I say, but it’s not I know he’s right I’ stupid ga else