Chapter 5

"We're miles away from Cambrick, and you still manage to stick to us like shit on our boots," Alice sneers, not masking the hatred seeping through her teeth.

Alice leans over, smiles, and then drops the plates by Aiden. A loud thud and food splatters around us. It mostly hits Aiden's black t-shirt that has a weird emblem. Probably some name-brand bullshit shirt worth too much money.

I steal a glance, anticipating Aiden to be infuriated, but he's oddly calm.

Alice only provokes him more with her smug and satisfied expression. So pleased with herself that she dirtied his expensive clothes.

My mouth drops open.

He finally bites back with minimal effort; a side glance with glassy eyes. "Always lovely to see you too, Alice." Then he slides out of the booth, hovering at least a foot above her. They lock eyes. Stubborn as she is, she refuses to break her icy glare first. He ruffles his black, wavy hair and turns back to face me. His eyes light up for a split second. "Let's talk again soon, but somewhere more private." He side-eyes Alice again, and she's still glowering at him, but he doesn't seem to care. "See you later, Lils."

My vision blurs the further he walks away from me. The words coming out of Alice's mouth sound more like incantations or like she's chanting in Latin. I try to steady my breathing but it comes out like rapid fire. My palms stick to my jeans as a wave of nausea hits my stomach like a rock.

I can't seem to breathe.

I clench my shirt, barely sucking in any air from each gasp.

My throat, closing.

My eyes go wide but nothing seems to be in focus.

Alice takes my hand and then moves in my line of sight. She starts breathing in and out slowly.

I mimic her.

My breathing settles, and I'm able to refocus.

Relief washes over me, and I sink further into the worn-out booth that's seen better days—kind of like me.

Alice repeats, "Are you okay?"

My eyes go wide. "Yeah, yes." I clear my throat. "I'm fine."

She gives me a look of disbelief. "We don't have to go out if you're not up to it." She trails off, saying we can stay inside and binge-watch movies and eat crap food.

I cut her off. "No, this time I want to." I won't explain any further, like how sitting on a couch would only make it worse. That binge-watching movies wouldn't clear my thoughts. That it would only make them even more muddled and depressing. I summon my best smile, and say, "Let's have some fun."

A half-assed grin unfolds upon her face telling me she doesn't believe a word I just said, but she chooses not to pry.

She tilts her head like she's analyzing me and then says, "There's a get-together at the Falls, Landon told me, and he's bringing a friend, so we'll get ready after this."

I stare at the salad in front of me as I twirl a piece of lettuce on my fork. My appetite, gone.

I avoid eye contact with her because she'll see right through me, again.

I attempt to use my best cheerful voice, but it comes out raspy and uneven. "Sounds like a plan."