Page 62 of The Loathing

“NO!” I shout, balling my hands into tight fists.

This is all because I am tired and wound up.

That’s it.

Maybe I am hallucinating. What is sleep? Sleep hasn’t come easy since I have been living here in England. Exhaustion hits me continuously, and even when I sleep I am restless.

The door pulls open and I see a frantic Amora, her eyes scanning up and down my body before they search my face for anything.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you,” I push my hands into my pockets and stand a little taller.

“You didn’t startle me,” she runs her tongue across her bottom lip slowly and my eyes cast down to watch, my lips part.

“What are we going to do?” she asks, stepping out of her room and into the narrow hallway, the scent of apricot and cocoa swarming me and I find myself inhaling deeply just so I can get my fix.

“We’re going to go about our day until we hear from Xander…” I swallow, stepping back because suddenly she feels too close.

She nods, looking over her shoulder and sighing.

“Is there anything you want to do?” I ask as she closes her bedroom door and she begins walking. I follow.

“Can we go sit by the lake?” She spins to face me, her eyes lighting up, her smile wide and I melt at the dimples that present themselves.

Twenty-one.

Twenty-one.

“If that’s what you want to do Twilight then that’s what we will do,” I smile back at her, my heart skipping a beat or two.

“Then, maybe we can go out on one of the boats. I’ve got tingly fingers and that’s normally when I know I want to paint.”

“Tingly fingers, huh?” One of my brows cocks high.

“Mmhmm,” she hums, turning as we reach the top of the stairs.

“Do you get tingly fingers with anything else?” the question is off my tongue before my brain has even caught up with what the fuck I have just said.

She gasps, looking over her shoulder at me and I can see the slight blush under her cheeks.

“That’s for me to know and you to maybe find out Mr King,” she breaks eye contact and I watch as she shakes her head side to side softly.

I scoff a laugh and follow her. The house is quiet and for some reason it makes me nervous.

We continue forward and into the kitchen where Xavier and Royal are sitting at the small table.

I hear Amora sigh heavily as she walks towards them.

“Morning darling,” Royal’s soft voice fills the room.

“Morning,” Amora gives a curt nod and not making eye contact and I can see how quickly Royal’s smile slips from her lips, and worry consumes her.

Xavier says nothing. His shoulders are rolled forward slightly, he is sitting as if he is ready for whatever is coming. He looks uncomfortable. I slowly walk past him and as much as I don’t want to, I do look at him. His eyes are dark, hooded, haunted. He isn’t looking at Royal, he is looking right through her as if she isn’t even there.

“Morning Titus.”

“Morning Mrs Archibald,” I give her a slow smile as I still next to her but Amora is already out in the garden.

“Please, it’s Royal, like it always has been,” she gives me a little smile and I hear Xavier scoff.

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