Page 25 of Meet Me at the Metro

“Talk to me, then. Tell me what they meant.”

“You wouldn’t fucking understand.”

“I could if you at least try to talk to me. At least try and explain.”

“Why should I have to explain anything to you? I don’t owe you shit.”

The words hurt, and I hate how greatly they stun me and falter my confidence.

“Fine. You don’t owe me shit, Theo, but guess what? I didn’t owe you an explanation tonight, either, but I gave you one, didn’t I? I was ashamed as hell to confess what happened, but I decided to let my guard down and trust you. You don’t always have to keep yours up, you know?”

“I don’t have a guard up.” He rolls his eyes. “Don’t pretend like you suddenly know me.”

“You know what? Forget it. Forget this whole conversation. This whole night.” Not wasting a second more, I start to walk away. “Have a good rest of your night, asshole.”

“You’re not walking home by yourself. I’m coming with you.”

“Like hell you are! You’re not the boss of me.”

“Just get the fuck back here,” he calls after me, worry laced in his voice. “You don’t even know where the hell you are.”

“Listen here, you grumpy dick,” I fire back, pivoting on my heel and stomping in his direction. We’re face to face, and my heartbeat is pounding in my ears. “Don’t ever talk to me like that again, do you understand?”

“Nora, I—”

“Shut up!” I demand, and he does without further argument. “I’m going home. I’m walking there by myself—without you—and I want you to leave me the hell alone from here on out.”

“Nora! Just wait.”

However, I don’t dare listen to his request. I storm off into the night and don’t stop or slow down until the sounds of the busy city streets swallow up the sound of his voice.

8

AND THEY WERE ROOMMATES

T H E O

What a bloody mess. What a royal, bloody mess.

Just as soon as things start to go smoothly between Nora and me, my arse has to go and turn into a dick, all because of my fragile fucking feelings. I hate being this way. I hate just how right Nora was tonight and how I couldn’t find it in me to admit the truth to her…

That I do have my guard up.

24 hours of the day, it’s up because I don’t want anyone else to know about the memories and fears that keep me awake most nights.

I shouldn’t keep leading this on like the two of us could ever be friends—or whatever the hell this is.

Unfortunately, I’m too damn selfish to drop this completely, even though I know I should, which is exactly why my eyes can’t quit watching her as her silhouette disappears around a street corner far ahead.

Just as I think I’ve fully convinced myself to head back to my place for the night, my feet begin moving in pursuit of her. I move quickly, weaving through the scattered bodies of the city street as my eyes scan a sea of unfamiliar faces in search of hers.

When I feel like I’ve lost any chance of finding her, a set of sapphire eyes fall into my line of view. Nora must spot me too because she starts to move faster, rushing down the staircase leading into a train stationup ahead—one that definitely isn’t going to lead her back to my friends’ flat.

This girl has no clue where she’s even going.

“Nora!”I shout, trying to warn her from going the wrong way.

Several people stop in their tracks, placing their judgmental stares on me as I dash down the stairs after her. Nora’s body disappears around another corner, and I mutter a few curse words under my breath, pushing past every single person who stands in my way.

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