Page 43 of I Was Always Yours (RCA: Royal Crown Academy)

There it is again.

That feeling of absolute dread at the thought of never seeing him again after we graduate. I rub the ladybug on my wrists, thinking back through a lifetime of memories with him, the good and the bad, and wondering what life will be like once we say goodbye for good.

The hollow in my chest balloons just thinking about it, but I lie hoping that one day soon it’ll be the truth.

“Yes.”

She studies me intently, scrutinizing my face before grabbing the remote and turning on the TV.

“Let’s watchLove Island. And Six,” she adds, turning her head to look at me, “If you want me to believe you next time, try not to hesitate for two full minutes before you answer.”

Chapter 15

Sixtine

“Alright Six, you remember how you said you were going to push yourself out of your comfort zone yesterday?” Nera asks me.

The four of us are sitting in our living room, chilling. I’m reading a book, Bellamy is studying, Thayer’s watching a show on her phone, and Nera is texting somebody.

I thought it might have been the mystery guy she’s been talking to, but clearly, it’s someone else.

“Yeah.” I’d toasted to that promise last night when we’d cheersed my birthday at midnight.

This morning I’d been woken up to cake, mimosas, and an off-key rendition of “happy birthday” as the girls crowded my room.

It was perfect.

“Well, first opportunity’s up.” She says, giving me a mischievous look.

“What is it?”

“There’s a fight at the abandoned factory tonight.”

“And you want me to volunteer? That’s a little too far, Ner.” I joke.

“Hold up,” Thayer jumps in, putting a hand up, “Are you talking about an underground fight? Like the illegal ones you see in movies?”

“Yeah,” Nera says, “They happen every couple of months. I’m not sure who the fighters are this time around, but usually there’s at least one person from RCA.”

Thayer turns towards Bellamy and smacks her knee. “Itoldyou underground fights were a rich people thing.”

Bellamy nods at me in confirmation. “She really did.”

“Anyway,” Nera adds, “They need a ring girl for the final fight. Apparently, Tallulah was going to do it, but she has the flu so she’s asking me to ask you.”

I frown. “Why’d she text you instead of me then?”

She smiles and crosses the room to sit next to me, throwing her arm over my shoulders. “She knew it’d take me convincing you for you to say yes.”

“She was wrong, because the answer isnon.” There’s no way I can get up in front of hundreds of people in a skimpy outfit, the introvert in me is already having a panic attack at the thought.

“Come on, Six!” Bellamy says, closing her textbook with a firmthunk. “You have to do it, that sounds so fun.”

“Why me though?”

“Let’s see, you’re a total smokeshow,” Thayer says, counting off her fingers, “You’re going to be every guy’s wet dream in tight shorts and a crop top, it’s a way to push yourself out of your comfort zone like you wanted, and it’s a once in a lifetime experience. I don’t think you’re ever going to be asked to be a ring girl at a fight ever again. So,Carpethatdiemor whatever.”

“It’s just not my thing,” I retort. To be honest, I wish it was my thing. I wish I had the bold confidence that all three of my friends have. I know none of them would hesitate to say yes to this if they were in my shoes.

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