Page 217 of Collided

“I placed my order during the class.” She purses her lips in thinking. “I should do it more often. It saves time.”

“Totally.”

“I wanted to talk about something.”

“Yeah, sure.” I put aside my novel and wait for her to open the bags.

I missed breakfast because my parents were in the kitchen, and I had no desire to get in their way if I could avoid it.

Marie opens the bag as if she can read my mind. I start with fries and almost smile at finally finding something to eat.

Sebastian presses a kiss to her forehead and thanks her when she gives him his bucket of chicken tenders. It reminds me of Heath. He loves them too.

Marie turns to me, blushing hard. “What was I saying?”

“You were going to tell me.” I add, “You looked excited.”

“I can’t remember.” She taps her head hard and turns to Sebastian. “Your kiss just made me forget it.”

He chuckles. “Now you know howIfeel.”

She frowns. “What do you mean?”

Smiling softly, he says, “When you kiss me, I forget everything else. Onlyyouexist in my mind.”

With a grin, she nods. “That’s exactly what’s happening to me right now.”

“I love you, my silly girl.”

“I love you too, my brainwasher boy.”

“You guys are like a book couple,” I end up saying because they’re so cute.

Marie’s grin widens. “Thanks. We try really hard.”

Laughter escapes me and soon the three of us are in a fit. A lot of heads turn in our direction with curious eyes and whispers that haven’t gone away, even though it’s been months since we’ve been hanging out. Sebastian and Heath attract the attention of everyone—the girls—and Marie and I are the invisible ones which is fine by both of us.

“Have you ever been to the fair?” Marie asks.

I know about the annual fair that takes place in October and is a big event. There are rides, food, drinks, and a variety ofstalls selling handmade and local things to the tourists and the newcomers who specifically come to attend it.

The fair is a blast and the talk of Bellmare until Christmas. Everyone attends it no matter what.

I’ve never attended it. I’m not an enthusiast of places that are crowded and noisy. It isn’t my scene.

“No.”

Marie looks stunned. “Tell me you’re kidding.”

I shake my head.

Of course, it’s odd that I haven’t been to an event that’s so famous, but I have my reasons. I chose to not go. But now, after meeting these people, I want to go.

I feel him before I see him.

My heart starts racing and blood rushes to my cheeks, even before the chair next to me scrapes against the floor drawing the attention of a lot of people around us.

Don’t look at me, people.

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