Page 30 of Collided

Before I can open my mouth, Marie jumps in. “You definitely should, Hope. It’ll be so much fun. We can get a nice dinner afterward and a karaoke night. Or we can hit the arcade and—”

“Babe, let her think.” Sebastian kisses Marie’s cheek and rubs her back.

“Sorry, I got too excited. I'm crazy like that.”

Sebastian kisses her temple. “It’s fine. I loveyourcrazy.”

I feel sick to my stomach with being a 24/7 witness to the romance between my best friends. I’d say get a room, but it’s me who regrets it later because I can hear them.

Sebastian faces Hope and asks again, “What do you say, Hope? Tag along with us. It’ll be fun.”

Marie clasps her hands together vibrating with her fuckingsunshine energy. “Yes, please. That way Heath won’t be alone. He hates when he’s alone.”

What the actual fuck?

She did not just fucking say that.

For fuck’s sake.

“I don’thatebeing alone,” I retort.

“Yes, you do. You told me.”

“I did not.” I grind my teeth, hating that she’s right.

“You did.”

“I was drunk.” I shouldn’t have drunk Vodka. What was I thinking?

“But you swore. And you can’t lie when you swear.”

“I was out of my senses.”

“More like feelings.”

“Tell me again, why were you there when I was drunk?” I ask, growing irritated.

“Because I’m your other best friend.” She grins proudly.

I scowl and run my fingers through my hair. “I'm not your best friend. I tolerate you.”

“That’s what true friendship is.”

Ignoring her, I check on Hope, but she refuses to look at me. She’s also stiff like a board beside me which confuses the fuck out of me.

Is my proximity bothering her?

Is she feeling sick?

What the fuck is it?

I want to fucking know it.

For the past ten minutes, Marie hasn’t stopped chattering, and I’ve noticed the lack of response from Hope. She hasn’t agreed to come to the ice rink, either.

Something is wrong with her. I can feel it in my bones. I also know it isn’t my place to intervene. She’s got Marie to talk to. Besides, I told her myself that I wanted her to stay away from me because deep down I know she’s trouble for me. Since that day in the hallway, I haven’t been able to forget her. She’s been at the forefront of my brain. My thoughts keep revolving around her. Her lonely, brown eyes make me weak, strange, and more. I don’t know what it is. But I know there issomething.

Hope is better off without me. I’m no good. I’m rude, angry, and frustrated. No sane girl would want to be anywhere near me.

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