Page 64 of Ivy's Venom

“She’s fine.” He snaps and I get the feeling things aren’t fine.

“I’ll have to drop by her house then.” I shrug and turn to my car.

“Her mother would eat you alive,” he huffs, “and then that would make Ivy worse.”

“Worse how?”

“She has these episodes.” He runs his hand through his hair, “depression hits her hard and she doesn’t want to leave her room.”

“When did that start?”

“When her grandma died and then… Charlotte.” He begins to look uncomfortable.

“I don’t want to cause problems,” I tell him. “I just want to see her.”

“So do I.” He exhales, “she’s my best friend but it’s hard to get through to her right now. We just have to wait it out.”

Fuck that.

“Alright.” I nod. “Your face looks like shit.”

“Thanks.” He grins wide and heads back to his car.

“Neil?” I hear Amelia and turn to see her with the group of mean girls.

“Hey.” I nod at her.

Her friend Vanessa is salivating at the mouth and I have the overwhelming urge to tell her to fuck off.

“What are you doing here?” Amelia asks.

“Need a ride?”

“No, I’m riding with Veronica.” Right, Veronica, not Vanessa.

“Cool.” I turn and open the door. “See you at home.”

“Okay.” She bites her lip and looks slightly worried.

“Everything is fine.”

She nods and the tension leaves her body.

“Is your brother single?” I hear Veronica ask as I’m shutting the door.

Not a chance, bitch.

I hate that Ivy’s house is locked up like Fort Knox. I’ve been parked on the street by her gate for hours and just saw her dad pull in. Maybe I could text Mr. Greene and tell him I have a question about a car, but that sounds stupid.

The gates start to open and I look for the car that’s exiting, only to see a small figure walking to the road. Ivy walks slowly, her hoodie pulled up on her head, and approaches my car. My heart is beating wildly and I’m craving for a look at her face.

She opens the passenger door and slowly sits in the seat, lightly closing the door behind her.

“My family thinks you’re stalking me.” She states quietly, her voice void of any emotion. “We can see you on the cameras.”

Well shit.

“I’ve been trying to get a hold of you, I was worried.”

---