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I look away from her. Tears sting my eyes, but I keep them at bay. It hurts that she tossed away my words as if they hold no credibility.

“I’m happy he’s back for you, but don’t expect me to make up with him. You either believe me or you don’t. I’ve told you what he’s been doing to himselfandme, but if you don’t want to believe it then I can’t do anything.”

“What you should be doing is studying.”

I lift my head and look her straight in the eyes. “I am, and I’d like it if you leave me alone. I have plenty of tests next week.”

Mom’s displeased scowl doesn’t hurt more than her not taking my word.

What’s the point of telling this to someone when they don’t believe you?

26

Heath

“So, how’s the friendship going?” Marie asks with a grin.

“What fucking friendship?” I sip my beer.

“With Hope, who else?” She rolls her eyes dramatically. If Marie wasn’t a computer geek she’d make an excellent actress.

“That’s your fucking business how Blondie?”

“You’re my best friend. So of course you’re my business.”

“She’s right,” Sebastian chirps in with a smirk.

I study the bar, specifically, the teenagers talking and drinking. Seems like we’re not the only ones who got fake IDs. The chatter floats in the air over the soft tune of some 80’s music playing on the jukebox.

The sun is going down coloring the sky in beautiful hues. There's a tranquility that comes with it.

“Both of you—” I cock my bottle between the two of them, “—get off my fucking back.”

“Can’t do.” Marie shrugs and dives for the onion rings.

“Then I’m leaving.” I’m about to stand up when Marie’s next words glue me to my fucking seat.

“Hope is two minutes away.”

Right at the moment the door opens. Hope stands there doe-eyed. Black jeans, a maroon top, and Converse. Her hair is pulled in a loose braid with a few strands falling on the sides of her face. Everything is simple about her but to me she’s fucking special.

“Here!” Marie excitedly waves at her. Hope and a few others look at us.

With an annoyed sigh, I lean back while Sebastian watches me with a smile. My best friend is having a blast in this feeling-situation I’m stuck in.

The pretty book nerd quickly crosses the room, avoiding the drunk idiots who try to bump into her. I’m seconds away from shoving them right across the dance floor. Fucking assholes.

Since we’re sitting in a booth the only seat left is next to me. She takes it after greeting my best friends who send her beaming smiles like they’ve known her their entire lives.

Then it’s finally my turn. “Hi.”

“Hi,” I say.

My gaze stills over the faint marks around her neck. This is the third fucking time I’m seeing them on her and I’m fucking pissed. Whoever this fucking person is, I will beat the living shit out of them when I get my hands on them.

We’re staring at each other, and I don’t even want to stop.

“Hope, what would you like?” Marie asks, making Hope look away from me.

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