Page 99 of Collided

Out of nowhere, Heath slips into my mind. His blue eyes, muscular body, tall height, and beautiful face. He’s so handsome but in a grumpy way. He only ever scowls, smirks, and smiles—those are tight-lipped smiles that don’t count. I’ve never heard him laugh or seen him happy. He’s always cold and distant like he’s mad at the world.

I should stay away from a guy like him. A guy who skips classes, smokes, fights at an illegal place, and is always mad. Despite all those reasons, he’s the one I feel safe with. He’s the one I can talk to, and he listens to me. When I’m having a panic attack he helps me instead of leaving me. I’m a nobody at school, but he makes me feel like somebody.

Maybe I’m losing my mind or gaining feelings for him. I don’t know what it is. All I know is, something is there.

Safety. Comfort. Friendship.

When I thought of setting up a small business I knew I’d land nowhere. I don’t have a good camera to take pictures with or know how to do social media. Then Heath stepped in, and he’s helped me in every way that he can. Also, he encourages me.

One thing is for certain. If he weren't there for me, I’d have failed miserably.

I don’t pay him. Maybe I should. He deserves to have a proportion when he tackles every aspect. I know he won’t take my money. He doesn’t even let me pay for food.

At the reminder of food my stomach grumbles.

Looks like I’m skipping dinner again. There’s no way I’m going downstairs.

I caress the side of my throat and wince when I imagine the marks I’ll find there in the morning.

I can’t go to school tomorrow, but I also can’t stay at home.

Heath will ask me questions, Marie will worry about me and Sebastian will watch me quietly. They’ll know something is up. I have no idea how I’ll avoid their suspicions.

Maybe it’s time I invest in makeup. I believe it’ll become a regular thing in the coming months.

22

Heath

Two days later Hope and I are sitting in my room making bracelets—she’s making them and I’m handing her the beads. Why I’m doing this is beyond me.

I’ve stopped thinking about why I do stupid things around her. There’s no point in looking for a reason when there isn’t any.

I justdothings for her.

Hope is wearing that fucking red turtleneck again when it’s sweltering hot outside. It’s September for fuck’s sake.

The sun has set, but the summer heat is moving with humidity. Fortunately, the AC is working, and she isn’t sweating.

I’m certain her neck has bruises. This is the second time I’m seeing her wear this fucking red article. She also missed school for two days.

My mind is a ticking bomb. I’m seconds away from interrogating her, but I’m holding my tongue.

Sebastian said that she’ll talk to me if I become her friend. After our conversation at the hill, I know it’ll take her some timeto give me the name of the person who’s hurting her. Until then, I have to resort to clenching my fingers a million times to unwire the cords of tension wrapping around my arm.

I’ll call Ryan and ask him to set me up for three fights. I need to direct this fucking rage somewhere else.

“Heath,” she says in her sweet voice.

My stomach churns strangely. What the fuck is wrong with me? She justsaidmy name.

“What?” I gruff out.

“There’s something I wanted to ask you,” she says hesitantly, as if she’s afraid.

She doesn’t have to be.

I’m here making bracelets with her. At this point, she can make me agree toanything.

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