Page 109 of Kiss Me in the Dark
“Trust me, I’m fine.”
“How about a horror movie?”Nat suggests.“Not in 3D this time.”
“No way.”I shake my head.“After last time?Not happening.”
I take a sip of my coffee, grimacing at how cold it’s gotten.Then I hear the bell over the door ring and glance up, only to freeze.It’s Fox, with Blaze at his side.They sit down at a booth not far from us.Blaze notices me and gives a friendly wave, which makes Fox look up from his phone.His eyes meet mine, and I groan, looking away fast.
“I take it as you wanna get out of here this instant?”Landon says, eyebrow raised.
“Yup.”I grab my backpack, give Blaze a quick wave, and practically bolt out the door with Landon and Nat in tow.
It’s Saturday, and I’m bored out of my mind.I’ve already watched every episode of my favorite shows, and even scrolling through Netflix feels pointless.
Leanne, Nat, and Landon have been trying to get me to go out, but I haven’t been in the mood.Suddenly, my phone rings.I glance at the caller ID and stare in disbelief.Elias?He hasn’t tried to contact me since the last time.
After a second’s hesitation, I pick up.Might as well hear what he has to say.
“Uh, hello?”
“Cam.Hey.”
“Hi.How are you?”
“I’m good.It’s nice to hear your voice again,” he says.I roll my eyes and get out of bed, needing something to do before I lose my mind.
“How’s school?How have you been?”I ask.
“Good, good.I missed hanging out with you, Cam.”
I try not to scoff.We barely even hung out; I hardly knew the guy for two weeks.
“Why are you calling, Elias?”
“I just wanted to check in and see how you’re doing.I screwed things up, and I’m sorry.”
“You’ve said sorry enough times.”I sigh.“Honestly, I’m fine.Maybe I misread things, and we barely knew each other anyway.”
The truth is, Elias was just a way to distract myself from Fox.Karma’s funny—I turned out to be his distraction from his ex.I guess I deserved what I got.
“I still want us to be friends.”
“Sure.Yeah, I still have your number saved, so that means something, right?Call me if you’re ever around.”My voice is polite, distant.
“Great.I’d like that.Thanks, Cam.”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”I wave him off, grabbing a romance book as I head to the living room.
“What are you up to?”
“Trying to read.It’s Saturday—there’s not much to do around here,” I say, dropping the book on the coffee table and heading to the kitchen for a bottle of water.
“I wish I was there.We could read together,” he says, with a small laugh.
“Don’t worry about me.I’m fine.Maybe I’ll try to get out later,” I reply, grabbing a chilled water bottle from the fridge.
“Okay, well… take care, Cam.”
“You too.”I hang up before he says more.I sit down, open my book, and try to lose myself in it.It’s already evening, and I’m counting down the hours until this day is over.
