Chapter Twenty Five: A Little White Lie

"Ria!"

Izek and I turned our heads at the door once Gideon's voice boomed.

"Ria," his voice calls to me as I run out and over the rail of the stairs to see him on the lower floor.

When Gideon looked up and shared eye contact, he immediately ran up and pulled me into an embrace.

Gideon squeezed me so tight like I was about to pop like a balloon. I think I will lose weight if they keep pressing me like this.

I pat Gideon's back. "Gideon? Hey, I can't breathe."

He pulled back, and I saw the dark bags under his eyes. Like Izek, he, too, didn't get enough sleep. Gideon was restless.

I wonder what Mom and Dad will look like. Probably much worst.

"Where the hell have you been?" Gideon asks and shakes me a little, not so much to break me.

"I was..."

"Do you know how worried I was? Stan? Your parents?!" He tightens his fingers against my skin.

"I can explain-"