It’s been three months since my brother’s car accident, and I’ve chosen to ignore the world around me. It’s easier than being reminded that he’s gone. For the most part, everyone leaves me alone, but there’s one person that can’t seem to take a hint—Caleb—my next door neighbor. I do my best to avoid him and his vain attempts at cheering me up, but he refuses to accept my new life goal of becoming a recluse. Just when I think things can’t get any worse, my school calls to let me know that my absences have taken a toll on my grades. If I don’t go back, I’ll have to redo my senior year. The problem is I won’t drive anymore, and I can’t take the bus because it drives right by the scene of the accident. So despite the fact that Caleb gets on my nerves, I ask him to drive me to school. In return he has one request—that I go on five dates with him before the end of the semester. Will being stuck with someone who’s determined to see me laugh again help me heal? Or will I end up finding a way to push him away too?

Publication Year: 2023