Page 6 of Fight or Flight

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, it's just that... I was a bit surprised to see you walking away with Marcus. He’s not exactly the type of guy I would think a pretty girl like you would socialize with. I mean, why would you wander away with him?” There’s no accusation in his voice, just concern, but all I am able to focus on is what he said about me.

“You think I’m pretty?” My voice is timid.

He hesitates before looking straight at me. “I do.”

“I think you’re pretty, too. I mean, not pretty. That’s too feminine, right? So, let me rephrase that. Whenever I watched you at school, I thought you were really handsome. Uh, not that I was watching you. I mean, not in a creepy way. Because I was watching you. But again, not in a creepy way. Just interested in who you are and what you’re doing.”

I watch amusement appear on his face as he tilts his head to the side as if trying to analyze me to see if I’m joking.

“So, I was also wondering why did you ask me to come to the Mill. Because you did ask me, right? I mean, you just confirmed that you did. But you’re you, and you’re cool and obviously came with a group of friends, so it’s not like you’re an actual loner like I assumed at school.”

“Uh-huh?” He blinks at me, now looking slightly confused, which makes me fidget because I know my stupid mouth is ruining this.

“I just mean... Um. I wonder why would you be interested more in sitting here with me when I’m obviously not more fun than dancing with your friends and getting drunk or whatever it is that you like to do.”

“Do you wonder about things often?”

“Yep,” I reply. “And I talk a lot, too.”

“You don’t say...” he says with a chuckle.

I look to the side and sigh. “You’re making fun of me.”

Aidan nudges my leg with his knee and convinces, “I’m not.”

I roll my eyes but don’t reply.

“To answer your question. Yes, I came here with other people. Friends? Not exactly. I’m here with my brother and our... group. But since I’m not really into those kinds of things, I was already trying to split when I didn’t see you anywhere...” he trails off. “Anyway, um, I’ve seen you at school before today too. And I kind of found you intriguing. So, you can say we’ve both been watching each other. Of course, not in a creepy way.”

The playful smile he shoots my way makes me slightly lightheaded, and I can’t help but lean closer to him. I notice the way he eyes my lips before looking up.

“You find me intriguing?” I ask slowly, tasting the word. “I’ve been called many things in my life, but never that.”

“What other things people have called you?”

“Oh, the list is too long, but nutjob and loony tunes have been the top two this week,” I say matter-of-factly.

“And you’re okay with this?” He looks angry on my behalf, and I immediately want to take it back. This is not the direction I want our conversation to go. I've learned already not to tell people that I have mental health issues. It's better if they think I'm just strange or even a freak.

When you've got that stuff on paper, it changes how people act around you.

“They’re not wrong. I am... different. And I’ve faced some, um, problems. When my friend Jenny was here, she fought everyone who even looked badly my way. She needn’t have to, to be honest. As long as she was with me, I didn’t care about other people and what their feelings about me were. But she wouldn’t have it, no,” I say wistfully and feel as if an invisible knife just stabbed me in the heart at the fresh reminder of her being gone.

“So where is she?” Aidan asks, almost as if he’s scared of the answer.

“Heard about the sheriff thing?”

“Um, yeah. It’s fucking Bell Ridge. Of course, I’ve heard,” he replies, his voice turning a little harsh.

I blink at him. “And you heard about his daughter?”

He scratches his head and looks away. “Yeah,” but then snaps his head to look at me from under lowered eyebrows. “Wait. You don’t mean...”

“That’s Jenny—my best friend. I’m surprised you didn’t hear about it. With all the rumors floating around this last month.”

Aidan blinks twice and swallows. “I’ve been keeping to myself lately. I didn’t go around much, so no... I don’t know what the rumors are. And, uh. I’m... I’m sorry.” I give him a confused look, and he clarifies, “About your friend. I hope she’ll be found safe and sound soon.”

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