Page 184 of Dare To Live

Arabella

I grope across the mattress, my hand seeking out Eli’s warm body, but my fingers encounter a cold empty space beside me. I roll over to find him gone. The bathroom door is open, showing the empty room beyond.

Where did he go?

Last night we hadn’t been able to get enough of each other. And now he’s vanished? No cuddles or kisses. No soft words in each other’s arms.

Something cold and hard hits me in the stomach. Maybe this is all just physical to him. My heart cracks.

Was I wrong about how he feels?

Maybe I don’t really know what Eli wants.

My cell pings on the bedside table, the sound cutting through my mixed-up thoughts. I reach for it and check my messages.

Eli: I’ve got a few things to do this morning. I’ll pick you up at seven to take you to the prom. I hope you slept well.

I glance at the time. Nine a.m.

What is he doing that’s going to take all day? My finger hovers over the screen. I want to ask why he wants to stay away. Is this the beginning of the end of our time together?

Me: Okay. Have a good day.

I press send and toss my phone down on the mattress on his side of the bed. In the harsh light of day, I feel like we’re strangers. I climb out of bed, and throw on a pair of yoga pants, one of Eli’s hoodies, and my sneakers. Then I grab my phone and walk out of the room.

I need to work through the messy emotions I’ve woken up with. And the best way to do that is to go for a run. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the freedom to do that, without the use of a running machine.

The air is chilly as I step outside. I set off across the grass at a slow pace and follow the edge of the tree line. When the path comes into view, I take the familiar route toward the cemetery. Barely anything has changed. I jog through the trees until the bench comes into sight. The path continues in a loop around the cemetery and then back toward the school. I’m heading back, when two men come into view.

Garrett and Bret are dressed in sweats and standing just off the path in deep discussion. I slow my pace as I see them.

Bret spots me first. “Hey, Arabella.”

“You two out for a run?” I come to a stop beside them.

Garrett nods. “We used to run this route a lot back in the day.”

A memory of Garrett and Kevin hunting me in the dark on Halloween pops into my mind. It had happened just before Eli had kissed me for the first time.

“Are you all set for the Prom tonight?” Bret asks.

“I think so.”

Garrett frowns and looks behind me. “Where’s Eli?”

“He had something to do.”

Bret smiles. “We’ll run back with you then. Let’s see if you can keep up.”

His words have a thread of excitement spiraling through me. “Is that a challenge?”

“I do believe I see a twinkle in her eyes.” Garrett laughs.

“To make it worthwhile, the loser has to fetch breakfast.” Bret moves across the path. “Ready, set, go.”

A surge of adrenaline sends me forward, and my feet fly over the dirt. Bret darts past me, and a grin stretches my lips. I urge my legs to go faster, and I chase after him. The trees rush past us, the three of us all fighting for first place. When we hit the grassy expanse leading toward the school, we come to a halt.

Bret wins, and I come in second with Garrett close on my heels.

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