Shatter-Me-PDF-Shatter-Me-Series-Shatter-Me-Shatter-Me-1-Tahereh-Mafi (1)

“I can’t believe it’s really you! I mean, well, I thought it
was you because I thought I heard something and at first I
figured it was nothing but then I decided I should probably
check just to be sure because what if it was you and—” He
pauses. “Wait—what are you doing here?”
“I’m home.” Adam laughs a little.
“Really?” James squeaks. “Are you home for good?”
“Yeah.” He sighs. “Damn it’s good to see you.”
“I missed you,” James says, suddenly quiet.
One deep breath. “Me too, kid. Me too.”
“Hey, so, have you eaten anything? Benny just delivered
my dinner package, and I could share some with y—”
“James?”
He pauses. “Yeah?”
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
My palms are sweaty. My heart is in my throat. I hear
Adam walk back toward the tank and don’t realize he’s
popped his head inside until he hits a switch. A faint
emergency light illuminates the cabin. I blink a few times
and see a young boy standing about 5 feet away, dirtyblond
hair framing a round face with blue eyes that look too
familiar. He’s pressed his lips together in concentration. He’s
staring at me.
Adam is opening my door. He helps me to my feet, barely
able to control the smile on his face and I’m stunned by the
level of my own nervousness. I don’t know why I’m so
nervous but God I’m nervous. This boy is obviously
important to Adam. I don’t know why but I feel like this
moment is important, too. I’m so worried I’m going to ruin
everything. I try to fix the ripped folds of my dress, try to
soften the wrinkles ironed into the fabric. I run haphazard
fingers through my hair. It’s useless.
The poor kid will be petrified.
Adam leads me forward. James is a handful of inches short
of my height, but it’s obvious in his face that he’s young,