Page 64 of A Pretty Fixation

“I’m…” Voices fill my ears, and a memory breaksfree in my mind.

It’s sunny. My hair is blowing in the wind.

Waves are crashing ashore, and I smell thesaltiness wafting from the ocean.

The others are playing in the water, but I’msitting alone further away. I dig into the sand with a stick until finding asmall shell.

I place it in my palm securely. It’s pale incolor, with specks of brown and yellow.

“What’s in your hand?” she asks.

My head snaps up.

Her hair and bathing suit are dripping water. Herbrown eyes are big with curiosity.

“Um, a seashell.” The little voice that leaves mybody sounds feeble.

She stretches her hand to me. “Let me see.”

I give it over, thinking perhaps now we can befriends, and maybe Caleb will notice me.

“Can I keep it?” she asks, smiling.

Something inside wants me to refuse.

“Okay,” I say instead.

She runs back down the beach to where Caleb andthe other kids are.

“Look what I found,” I hear her lie, and hatredblooms. Why did she do that? Why can’t I call her out?

“Cool. Let’s find bigger ones.”

As they comb the sand together, tears burn in myeyes.

“Jordyn!”

Aaron nudges me until the memory flips away like apage. A headache begins right after, and I massage my temples to alleviate it.

“Jesus, are you okay?” He looks me over, eyes widewith worry. “You completely spaced out. I’ll take you to the nurse. You don’tlook so good.”

I wave off his offer. “I’m fine. I just need tolie down.”

“Jordyn.”

“It’s okay.” I hurry off before he can stop me,reaching the dorm in no time.

My hand shakes as I unlock the room door.Entering, I slam it shut and mosey to my bed, sinking at the side.

The organ in my chest is lashing behind myribcage, and I still have a damn headache.

That memory is significant proof. It clarifies thefeeling of jealousy and the relief from finally having Caleb. But I don’t wantto believe it.

I just can’t.

Not when I’m falling so deeply.

It’s not like me to skip class, but I couldn’thandle sitting through a lesson after what happened.

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