Page 23 of The Invite
Paranoia or being lonely.
Except I can’t shake off the first without the other. The second requires trusting people and letting them in. Sadly, I’ve lost that ability. After the debacle yesterday, I cannot even muster the desire to force myself to relearn it.
Even though Augustus and Maverick got suspended, I still feel defeated.
Like the danger hasn’t passed.
Rather it was invited in.
Pushing aside my morose thoughts, I ask the clerk behind the desk, “How much is this?”
“Fifty dollars.”
I turn over the second-hand phone and look it over for any damage. With my low savings, a cheap one is all I can afford. A necessity that is far more important than food and shelter in this day and age. I have no choice but to buy another since I lost my perfectly fine and trustworthy old phone.
It’s probably being used as a shiny toy by wild animals in the woods.
“I’ll take it,” I answer, passing it to him so he can bill me for it as well as add a new SIM card and a cheap plan to it. After paying in cash, I exit the store in the mall and collide with a wall of muscle.
Strong hands grab my shoulders, steadying me.
I look up, and utter in shock, “Ace.”
“Fancy seeing you here, Nessa,” he says with a pleasant grin. Those sexy glasses of his did not hinder my view of his equally beautiful eyes.
After running into Maverick, I was glad my suspicions that Ace was one of the masked men got eradicated.
“Hi,” I greet, after realizing I’ve been staring too long. “I needed to buy a few things. You?”
“I was here to return something.” Unlike in school, he’s dressed casually in a fitted white tee and black jeans. The only similarity is both outfits accentuate his cut physique. The informal one more so. “Is your shopping done?”
“Yes. I’m all done.” I clutch my phone tighter, hiding it from his view. I would rather not let him know I’m poor. Hopefully, my situation will soon change once I start receiving regular income.
“Are you all settled in, in your new home?” he asks, curiosity rising in his face. “Did you move here with your family?”
I know he’s asking in a general sense, making casual conversation, but still anxiety prickles my skin. I keep myexpression friendly as I answer, “No, I moved here alone, wanted a change of scenery. As for my place, it’ll take a while before it starts to feel like home, you know.”
“True.” His smile is understanding.
So, I ask, “What about you? Do you live with your family or girlfriend?”
“Is this your way of asking if I’m single?”
Color darkens my cheeks. “No, I uh…”
“Relax, I’m kidding.” He laughs. The sound is carefree, making me reminisce about a time I used to have that. “Since we’re both here, do you want to grab a coffee? I was on my way there. Unless, of course, you’re busy?”
Nothing but four walls that are a prison is waiting for me. I’m also low-key scared of Augustus popping up like a ghost and haunting me senseless. A man—yes, he’s too intense and psychotic to be referred to as a teenage boy—like him wouldn’t take too kindly to their prey standing up to them, much less getting them suspended.
See, paranoia.
“Sure,” I agree to Ace’s offer, stalling to go home. Besides, he’s making an effort and I want to feel like I have someone in my corner, even if it’s a stranger.
As I walk beside him, I wonder if he’s aware of what happened at school. I’m well familiar with nasty rumors spreading fast like wildfire. Everyone will put two and two together once they notice Augustus and Maverick are gone.
Even though I signed an NDA, which was drawn up rather quickly, I don’t think it’ll stop Scarlett—Augustus’s sister—from opening her mouth. I don’t know what bond they share but I bet they’re close.
I sigh, wondering what sort of fresh hell awaits me tomorrow. This isn’t the first impression I wanted to make in front of my students. Either it’ll make them respect and be afraidof me, or it’ll backfire and they will torment me. The worst part is that I can’t even defend myself.
