All Chapters of Too Big to Fit.: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Sydney “Hey, what’s wrong? You see a ghost or something?” Dean had asked when he saw me walking towards the table. But I ignored him, walking straight to my seat, grabbed my books, and started shoving them into my bag like if I didn’t leave fast enough, something inside me might crack open right there. Because there was no way I was sitting back down to speak about chemicals when my heart was shattered somewhere in the chemistry aisle. “What are you doing? We still have time.” Dean sounded confused now. But thankfully, he didn’t stop me. Why? Maybe he could see the anger coursing through my veins, mirrored on my face. Or the way my body trembled as I fought back the tears banging against my eyelids. “Where are you going?” Dean asked again, his voice louder this time “Shhh.” I slung my bag over my shoulder. “I’m leaving.” I said simply, hoping my voice wasn’t shaking. Because even I couldn’t hear it. I just wanted to get the hell out of there—out of school! Eyes fol

Sydney After about an hour of FaceTime with Maeve and another two soaking myself with topics yet to be taught in class, I successfully fell asleep on my books.And the next day, my alarm dragged me out of it, announcing that I’d made it through the night and I was still on Earth.Yay.Now all I had to do was survive another day at school.Or at least try.We had algebra first period, and the minute I got to my locker, I grabbed what I needed, slammed it shut, and walked straight to class even before the first bell rang.I really didn’t need anymore drama my heart couldn’t take. Nothing to remind me of how angry I’d felt yesterday.I pulled my bag off and slipped into my chair, my eyes on my book like it was the only thing that mattered.“Hey,” I looked up, watching Maeve walk toward me.She looked like she’d seen a zombie.No, that would be cool to her.She looked awkward.“Where the hell are you when I need you?” She asked, dragging a chair beside me.I frowned slightly. “What’s wr

Sydney I stayed rooted to my seat, goosebumps making their way to my brain as I forced my head straight, the pen clutched in my hand like a lifeline. I could feel Dean press against me now. His cologne stronger than I’d ever noticed. My breathing felt wrong—heavier and heavier with each exhale. Still, his hand moved higher. “Dean,” I breathed, my voice barely there. “What are you doing?” “Why’re you so tense?” He whispered close to my ear. “This is what you want, isn’t it?” What? My brain stalled. I said nothing. “Come on, look at it.” His fingers squeezed lightly. “What girl makes arrangements with a guy in such a private setting without…nasty intentions?” “No…” my voice came out small, and I dared not turn. He was too close. “Admit it.” He murmured, his hand moving slowly. “You want me.” Fear started at my feet and climbed. Slow, heavy. Settling into my chest until it felt hard to breathe. Every warning, every word said out of anger or even dismissive

Sydney They say third time’s the charm. You know…when you fail twice and try again, you might actually get it right the third time. But in my case? It wasn’t about getting it right. It was about finally seeing what I shouldn’t have ignored all along. And it took three times—three stupid chances, to realize everyone has been right about Dean.That night I had to sneak into the kitchen to grab some food so no one would see how swollen my eyes were.I grabbed two cans of chunked pineapples and peaches—hugged them to my chest like they could fix me, then slipped back upstairs as quietly as I could.But when I woke up the next day, it felt like I’d run into a wall. And even if I had, I couldn’t remember.All I remembered was dragging myself up from my bed with this throbbing headache while I prepared for school.Normally, I’d brush my teeth in the shower to avoid staring at my reflection in the mirror.But today, I stayed at the sink.I looked at myself.Stared at my face, my hair, the

TylerCoach put me in charge of practice that day.Well, not full practice—just running the bench players through plays for Friday while he handled stuff at Redwood.Still counted.We ditched lunch for the gym once more and went straight to business. And in no time, we were all locked in—the sharp squeak of sneakers on polished wood, the thud of basketball hitting the floor, the guys laughing or calling out when something clicked. You know, that ease that comes with being in the one place that shuts everything else up.And for the first twenty minutes, it worked.“Again,” I said, tossing the ball to one of the second-string guys. “You hesitate like that during a game, you’re done before you even start.”He nodded quickly, already out of breath.And even though I knew I sounded a little too much like coach at that moment, I didn’t care.I’d listened to him bark Sinclair for as long as I could remember.Felt right throwing it back.“Move your feet. Anticipate, don’t react.”He tried i