Page 37 of Withered

He rolls his eyes at me and repeats his question, keeping his gaze on me. “Why did you help me?”

I draw my eyebrows together, confused. “What?”

“Didn’t you hear me?”

I fight the urge to roll my eyes. “I heard you. What type of question is that?”

“A question is a question.” He shrugs.

“Well, it’s just me. My parents are doctors. They can’t see anybody hurt, and the same goes for me. I cannot see anyone hurt; it pains me. It makes me feel useless when I can’t do anything to help them,” I tell him, stating the obvious.

He nods many times, like he has an answer to several questions. A smirk forms on his lips, and his eyes shine.Uh-oh. Not a good combo.

“But I’d say otherwise,” he says this and crosses the distance between us in two long, smooth strides.

Standing right in front of me with his knees bent and only two feet separating us, I have to crane my neck to get a better look at him. My breath hitches when he moves past my face and hovers over my ear.

“You helped me because you like me,” he whispers and pulls back.

“What? No. Nope,” I reply, shocked at the accusation.

“Oh really? Because you sounded different to me last night.” He arches an eyebrow.

I give his chest a little shove. “As far as I recall, I praised your physical features. I don’t remember saying anything like,‘I like you’.I might have complimented your eyes because damn, they are pretty.”

He gives me a half-smile and stands straight. Before he adds more, I say, “I’m going home now. Thanks for, I don’t know, taking care of me.”

WhenIgohome,I’m relieved to see my parents are not around. I drag myself upstairs, and the first thing I do is yell into my pillow.What is wrong with me?

After staring at the wall for a while, I get up and get ready for the day. I change into a simple loose crop T-shirt and tight-fitted leggings. I was about to call Kristy as I walk downstairs when it occurs to me that she was probably with Tyler. Even if he is making an effort, I have a bad feeling about this. But who am I to judge when my own life is going downhill?

I grab my litchi juice from the fridge, and I take out a wine glass just for the vibe of it.

The doorbell rings as I pour the juice. With the glass in my hand, I make my way to the door, opening it to find my favorite person standing there. I open my mouth to say something when the person walks straight past me.What the hell?

“Dad. What’s the rush?”

“I need to find something, kiddo,” he shouts on his way upstairs.

The sounds of drawers opening and closing fill the house, and a moment later he comes downstairs.

“You were home last night?” I ask him.

He is working too much nowadays, and it worries me a lot. I know he can take care of himself, but I have the right to worry for him. I was so tired last night that I didn’t even check to see if his car or Mom’s were in the garage. I simply figured she was in her room.

“Yeah. I got home early yesterday. I was looking forward to spending a little time with my precious little bean.” He gives me a small smile.

Tears sting my eyes, and I blink them away fast. With a lump in my throat, I try to say, “I am sorry.”

“It’s nothing to worry about, kiddo. You’re young, and you should have fun. Going out to a party and meeting new people is what you should do.”

He engulfs me in a bear hug. I breathe in his familiar, homely scent, which instantly calms me.

“I’m still sorry. I should have stayed home, then we would have had a family night,” I speak with guilt.

If only I hadn’t let Jake get to me, I wouldn’t have been out to that party. Instead, I’d be home spending time with my family. It is all his fault.

He releases me, saying, “We can have it any day. You enjoy your school life. You won’t get that back.”

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