Page 127 of Runaways

Or maybe more specifically, since Tate and Silas came back into my life. The last thought has me worried about how much longer they will be in my life.

It's not really something I can ask.

"I guess I did."

"Don't worry," Tate says. "We got you a costume, too."

I frown. "Will I like it?"

"Yes."

"No," Silas says, laughing. "You won't like it."

"I don't know. It'll be a fun game. You might like it, Noah," Tate says.

"Another game?" I ask. "What kind of game?"

"You'll see."

"Will there be mandatory crawling?"

"No comment," he says, and Silas laughs again.

"Great. I'm going to the bathroom."

I climb off the bed and step into the bathroom, closing the door behind me. After using the toilet, I wash my hands and splash water on my face while the two of them talk and laugh from the other side of the door.

It squeezes at my chest a little.

I end up turning on my straightener, intending to just run it over my bangs and be done with it, but instead, I straighten all of my hair and put on makeup while I listen to them laugh and speak in hushed tones I can't quite decipher over the television.

When I step into the main room, they're standing beside the bed, kissing. Tate is wearing the sweats he wore last night with one of my tops—the long-sleeved shirt I stole from the gas station the night I ran away from them all those months ago. It's tight on his shoulders and slightly cropped at the bottom.

I bite back a smile and watch them whisper for a minute more, unaware of my presence.

It's Silas who notices me first. "What?" he asks.

"Nothing," I say, looking away to hide my smile. "I'm just…"

"Just what?"

Remembering again, I guess. When we were different. When this was us. It's comfortable.

"Nothing. I don't know."

"I took your shirt," Tate says.

"Yeah, I can see that. That's actually a trauma shirt for me, so you're welcome to keep it."

"Trauma shirt? What's a trauma shirt?"

"I'd rather not explain."

"Are you ready to see your costume?" Silas asks.

I sigh. "Yeah, I guess so."

Silas grabs the bag from beside the door and empties the contents onto my bed, first removing the masks they wore to the café that day.

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