Page 29 of Visions & Shadows

“Oh.” With one hand casually in his pocket, he walks closer. “Just a book? Why are you clinging to it if it’s just a book?”

“It’s my diary,” I admit. “You’re not seeing it, Ryan.”

His eyes lock on mine, and I feel the intensity of his stare deep in my heart.

“So if I want to know all your secrets, then that’s the book I should read.”

“Read it and die,” I warn him.

I shut the book, and walking to my closet, I shove it beneath my underwear before closing the door so he can’t see my haphazardly packed clothes.

Ryan glances around the room while walking to the window. He stands there in silence for a good few seconds before glancing in my direction.

“You have a nice room,” he murmurs. “It feels like you.”

I shrug as I glance around my private space.

It might be my room, but it’s never felt like home.

Suddenly, he asks, “When’s your birthday?”

A frown forms on my forehead. “Huh? Why?”

“Just curious.” He turns his body to face me and leans his shoulder against the wall.

“I don’t know when it is, but I celebrate it on the day I was found at the waterfall.”

“Next week,” he says, catching me completely off guard.

“How did you know?”

His eyes widen slightly. “You told me.”

I don’t remember telling him, but I shrug it off. “When’s your birthday?”

A hot-as-hell smile curves his lips. “December nineteenth.”

“So you’re only a month older than me.”

He stares at me for a moment it feels like he knows something I don’t.

Maybe he doesn’t like birthdays.

Changing the subject, I ask, “Want to get something to eat and drink?”

“Sure.” He pushes away from the wall, and when we leave my room and head down the stairs, he throws his arm around my shoulders. “What are you feeding me today?”

“Hot dogs?”

“Sounds good.”

A drunk girl staggers into our way, and we have to sidestep her.

“Damn, she didn’t waste any time getting trashed,” I mutter.

“Molly’s parents allow alcohol at the party?” Ryan asks.

“No, but it doesn’t stop people from bringing their own.”

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