Page 25 of Catching Feeling

Hallie’s eyes light up at the mention of my book, and I smile. Right now, it’s one of the only constants in my life. The ability to lose myself in the fictional world that I’ve created. Nothing brings me comfort the way that spending a night at my computer with my characters does. It feels like home.

Hallie and Eli are the only two people who even know that I’m writing a book. It’s not really something I’m ready to share with the world yet. It feels too personal, like a piece of me that is vulnerable and raw. Something I want to keep for myself until it’s one hundred percent ready to be put out there.

“How’s it going? God, I can’t wait to hear more about Graves and Mica. I swear, I’m still dreaming about the scene I read with them at the spooky mansion.”

“It’s going good, just kind of slow right now. You know, with moving and picking up extra shifts here at the library, I just haven’t had as much time to write. I plan to put my murder board up tonight and do some digging into the second act. But I’m so proud of it, Hallie,” I tell her, swallowing down the swell of emotions that threaten to burst from my lips. To tell her that it’s giving me an outlet that no one knows how desperately I need.

Hallie picks up her pen and brings the tip to her mouth before responding. “I’m so proud of you, Viv. Sometimes, I don’t know how you do it all. School, work, and working on your novel, plus the time and research you dedicate to Spaced Out.”

“It’s my Type A personality.” I laugh, gesturing to the color-coded planner in front of me, along with my notes from our last lecture.

“Well, I was thinking, since we’re working so hard, that we deserve a girls night. Maybe this weekend or next weekend? A sleepover at my place or yours?”

I nod. “Definitely. We can work on our next episode too. Oh god, did I tell you that I almost like… broke Reese’s nose the other day?”

She chokes on the Sour Straw she was eating, sputtering, “What?”

“Yeah, well, I was listening to a creepy lecture on leprechaun lore, and I had my earphones in, and he rounded the corner in the hallway and scared the actual shit out of me. It was a reflex.”

Her jaw hangs open.

“There was blood everywhere. It was gross, and I did actually feel really bad. He just scared me, and I reacted.”

“Wow. I can’t believe Lane didn’t mention it to me. He did say he had a mysterious black eye. I just figured he talked shit to the wrong someone.”

“I guess that self-defense class my dad made me take freshman year of high school paid off? Reese is like six foot three, and I’m pretty sure he cried.” I giggle.

I probably shouldn’t be laughing at that, but it was a tiny bit funny.

Tiny.

“God, I would’ve paid money to have seen that happen. I mean, honestly, I expected this to happen way before now.”

Gasping, I clutch my chest in mock offense. “I am not a violent person, Hallie Jo. Jeez. It was one hundred percent an accident. Trust me, if I was planning on hitting Reese Landry, I would have long before then.”

She laughs so loud that there’s an echo of shhh’s around the library, and we both have to cover our mouths to keep quiet.

“I needed that. God, I miss you, Viv. I’m excited for our girls night. As much as I love being with Lane, I need some girl time. Your house or mine?”

Glancing down at my phone, I see the screen light up with a missed call notification from my mom. Crap. I start to gather my textbooks and tell Hallie, “I’ve gotta run. I need to call my mom and finish this paper for English. Let me check with Reese about this weekend. It feels so weird to call his house home, and I don’t just want to, like, assume he’s cool with me having people over. Ya know? I’m definitely not used to all this yet. I’ll let you know tonight?”

“’Kay. Love you.”

After shoving everything in my old JanSport backpack, I grab my phone from the table and tell Hallie bye. “Love you too, space babe. Text you later.”

Once I make it outside of the library, I find Mom’s contact in my call log and then bring it to my ear.

It rings and rings, but no answer. I try once more while walking to my car, but she still doesn’t answer.

Opening my messages, I send her a text.

Hey mom, sorry I missed your call. I was studying in the library with Hallie. Call me when you see this?

After a short drive to the house, I unlock the front door and step inside. It’s completely quiet, which means Reese is probably out.

Perfect. Peace and quiet to get my murder board set up while I wait to hear from Mom.

I walk straight to my new bedroom and shut the door behind me.

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