Page 103 of Introvert

"Oh, yes please, I'd love that!"

"You got it."

"What about that one?" I asked, pointing to the only bracelet that didn't seem to go with the rest.It sparkled, looking like it was made of tiny stars.

"Oh," she said, cheeks turning pink as she touched the shimmeringsilver metal. "This was a gift."

I smiled. "Fromsomeone special?"

"Yeah."

"Boyfriend?" I asked.

"I wish."

Suspicion had my eyes goingwide. "Ryker got you thatdidn't he?"

"Technically, it was from him and Fe for my 16thbirthday. But honestly, I love it and like to think Ryker picked it for me himself."

London sighed.

"Pretty pathetic, huh?"

I shook my head. "Not at all. Loving someone's never pathetic."

"Take it from me, Aurora," shesaid. "Love can be aterrible thing."

With that, she went back to folding, and I left to give her some privacy. The guys were doing another fan event. I'd decided to hang back with London andtry to cheer her up.Not sure I succeeded.As I grabbed my laptop, stepped off of the bus and walked across the street, I found Ryker standing there, back propped up against a tree, staring straight ahead. He didn'tflinch as I joined him.

"Ryker," I said.

"Aurora," he said back.

"How are you?"

"Never better. You?"

"I'm good. London seemsa littledown though. Maybe you should go talk to her."

He shook his head. "She doesn't want to see me."

"You're wrong."

Ryker gazed fixedly at the bus, directly at the window where London's bunk would be. I couldn't help thinking that anyone would be a better person to speak to him.Felix was his brother; the guys were his best friends; Taylor, Izzy, Essie, even the crew knew him much better than me.

But London was my friend, and I wanted to be worthy of that friendship bracelet.

"Don't you want to see her?" I said.

Ryker lifted a brow. "Doesn't matter what I want."

"Listen, I know that I'm younger, and we don't know each other well. I'm probably the last person who should be giving relationship advice. But can I give you some?"

"Can I stop you?" he said.

"No."

"Didn't think so."

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