The great thing about being the middle child is that you see everything. The fifth of eight, Abby knows this better than most. Empathetic if a bit naive, she’s learned plenty from watching her older sisters live their lives (Gideon, not so much, but Gideon is a dingbat and knows he’s a dingbat so at least there’s that). She knows that Libby’s womb won’t cooperate, she knows that Saoirse has a secret lover, she knows that Ruth is living in a private hell, and she’ll never tell anyone about any of those things because Abby Collins is Not That Girl. She’s fabulously invisible, she’s engaged to someone who treats her like a human and thinks her ambition is kinda cute, and the world is hers for the taking... or is it??

Micah was only supposed to spend two years in One-Seventeen. An outsider with an unspoken and mysterious past, he meant to stay isolated until he was allowed to leave again. Then Saoirse Collins happened and that plan went right to hell. Protective by nature, Micah saw familiar traits in Saoirse and knew from the moment he heard her voice that he’d die for her if that’s what it took to keep her safe. He’s heard what everyone else says about her, that she’s defective and rebellious, and while he’ll certainly admit those beliefs do have some basis, it’s been four years since he met her and he just keeps falling more in love. He respects her desire for autonomy and would never force her into a role she doesn’t want, but sometimes he worries about her. Marriage would mean immunity for them, a chance to emerge from the shadows... but it’s not what she wants, and he’s not that sort of man. As long as she lets him have her in some form, he’s not too worried by the details.

Follow? I follow back.<3