Page 41 of Collided

“Make up words that resemble curse words, but it’s the same fucking thing.” Heath smirks widely as if he can’t bring himself to smile.

I can’t wait to see him smile or laugh someday. I bet he’d look beautiful. Still, my heart jumps inside my chest. I feel something brewing in my stomach.

I’m in so much trouble.

“Are you okay?” Marie skates up to us with Sebastian following close behind.

“Barely,” I offer.

She offers me her hands. “Come on, I'll help you out.”

“I can help her,” Heath interjects.

The three of us stare at him with various expressions: Sebastian with a smirk, Marie with a smile, and me with surprise.

“No! No, it's fine. I’ll manage.” I tightly grip the rail.

God this is embarrassing.

They have to help me and can’t enjoy themselves.

No wonder I didn’t have friends. I’m a hindrance.

Heath glares at me. “It’s not fine.”

“Heath, I have to talk to you.” Sebastian steers him away from us.

“I can’t believe it,” Marie sidles up to me with a grin.

“What?” I frown.

“Heath is being nice to you. I mean I believed you. But fuck, he’s really going out of his way to help you.”

“I…”

“It’s your choice. If you want, we can swap partners and you and I can skate together. Whatever you’re comfortable with.” She looks at Sebastian and smiles.

Marie is a good friend to me. I don’t want to be terrible to her when she clearly wants to be with her boyfriend. Besides, I need to thank Heath for Thursday.

I decide. “I’ll skate with Heath. I need to talk to him.”

Marie loops her arm around mine and we skate to the boys who are in a staring battle. Heath looks annoyed and Sebastian looks amused.

“It’s decided. You and Hope are going to skate,” Marie tells Heath who quickly looks at me.

You want to?his eyes ask.

I want to,I reply.

Coming near, he offers me his hands. I take them, holding his long, calloused fingers tightly.

“Marie threatened you?” He helps me slide on the ice, keeping a fierce grip so I don’t falter.

I give him a confused look. “I don’t think she’s capable of threatening anyone.”

He shakes his head. “She is when it comes to protecting her people.”

I can’t imagine that. She’s so full of light and happiness, thinking there’s a blazing fire behind all that is similar to a rabbit having quills. Impossible.

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