Page 56 of The Heir

“It’s getting better, but sometimes—I still feel so lonely and sad. The nightmares have stopped for a little while now. I am grateful for that. But my parents’ absence, it haunts me. It’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever been through, and I am so sorry that you miss your family, so sorry you can’t be with them when you know they are still alive. I can’t even imagine that.”

“I am alright. Do not worry about me.”

“I am sorry, though.”

He nodded, squeezing my hand again.

I cleared my throat. “Pain does fade with time. I will always miss my family as I am sure you will, too; however, it does become less painful—with time.”

I nodded.Time.Time seemed to be the remedy for most things. As I considered ‘time,’ all I could think of was that watch, which my dad had worn on his wrist, and the splatters of blood that had dripped onto its face. I could see it, and it made my stomach churn. I shook my head, trying hard not to get stuck in that memory.Time? Is it a friend or a foe?I was not sure, but I did hope that it would heal me as everyone seemed to believe it could.

“So, this equation—” I asked, gulping, refocusing on math in an effort to clear the nightmare from my brain. As I watched him explain the equation to me for the second time, I could not help but think about what I had told him. I had just let him in. He was the first person I had ever told about my parents, that they had died–well, other than Mary and Ryker. I had never said those words to anyone else, and it stung. It also felt freeing, as if I wasn’t alone—it felt like I could accept it, perhaps, someday.

The next day, Ash and I were going to go with Mary to pick out Homecoming dresses. Ryker and Shad were not at school, and I missed them both. At lunch, I listened as Sam talked to Ash and me about football. I really didn’t know much about the sport, which was surprising because Ryker loved football. I watched as Sam flirted with Ash, and it made me smile. I wondered if Sam would ever just go on and ask her to Homecoming, already. I mean, was it so hard?

Last period, and I had a small hope that Shad would be there, sitting at his desk near the teacher, but his seat was empty.Where is he?I found myself growing angry as I walked to the parking lot to wait for Mary and Ash after school got out. As I stood there waiting, Shad walked from the parking lot, over to me, where I stood near the front entrance of the school.

“Wow, how odd to see you here,” I said, not looking at him, still bothered.

“I go to school here,” he said, and I could tell he was smiling from the sound of his voice.

“Not today, it would seem,” I grunted.

He stood in front of me, forcing me to see his handsome face. “Are you upset?”

“No,” I lied, turning away from him.

“Youareupset. Why?”

“Because I didn’t see you all day after Math class yesterday, and then all of today. I didn’t know where you were.”

“Emma Warren, were you worried about me?” The small smile that crept up to his lips made my insides flip, but I tried to control my face, so I was still glaring at him. I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Next time could you text me?” I asked. “I thought you could have died or something.”

He nodded. “I am alive and well. Sorry for making you worry. I truly apologize, Emma. Would you like a ride?”

“No, I have one,” I said, lifting up my chin in defiance.

“You have one?” He looked around as if he would see the person I was riding with.

Where is Ash?

“Yep,” I answered with a smile.

“Who?” he asked.

“Well, Mary is picking me up; she took the afternoon off to take me shopping,” I said, letting a smile escape. I was looking forward to finding a dress.

“Shopping? Sounds fun—” he said, then paused. “My sister loved trying on dresses.”

“How old is your sister?” I asked, forgetting I was irritated with him.

“She’d be about seventeen, now,” he said, moving his black hair from his eyes.

“Well, I am suresheunderstands how exciting it is to go dress shopping for homecoming.”

Shad’s eyes grew wide and his mouth opened partly.

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