AllFreeNovel
Share Us
This train ride feels so much longer than the one going to Florida.
People have gotten on and off. Sometimes I sit alone, other times I have someone next to me, but no one breaks the silence.
I have no one.
I did text Violet to tell her I’m coming home, but I’d rather wait to fill her in on everything that’s happened—in case I break down. It’s easier to keep myself together when no one asks me if I’m okay.
Because I am definitely not okay, but I’ll pretend for as long as I can.
Aiden creeps into my mind uninvited, and I have to continuously give him the boot. He’s called me once in the past twenty hours I’ve been sitting here, but I didn’t answer.
Looking down at my phone, I check the time.
6:34 a.m.
Most of the night I’ve been able to fall in and out of sleep, but I’m tired and knowing I still have eight hours left only makes me feel more drained.
75
Aiden
This morning, I’m up before Em.
When she finally rolls into the kitchen at 7:30, I’ve already made coffee and poured her a cup.
“Well, good morning,” she says, taking the mug from my hands. “You’re much more alert this morning.”
“Funny what not being hungover can do for you.” I hold up my coffee. “And I’ve already finished one of these.”
She takes a seat on one of the kitchen barstools. “So what’s your plan?”
I’ve had all night to think about this, but when she asks me, I still shrug. “Go home and try to find her.”
“In New York City,” she says flatly. “Yeah, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
I stare down at the cup in my hands. “I have to try.” Ever since talking to Em yesterday morning, I’ve had a twisting feeling in my gut. She’s better at reading people than I am, and the more I think about what happened with Claire, the more I think that I’m the one who fucked up.
So as much as I hate New York City, and getting back on that damn train, I have to.
I have to try.
Em’s quiet for a moment, but I can feel her watching me. Her eyes might as well hold the heat of the Florida sun. I feel like an ant and she’s the one holding the magnifying glass.
“You like her,” she finally says with a sense of wonder in her voice, like the thought had never occurred to her.
Lifting my gaze, I say, “I thought we already established that.”
“No,” she says shaking her head. “I mean, you really like her.”
Still not sure why this is such a shock, I can’t help when my voice comes out sounding more like a question. “Yeah?”
She sets her cup down excitedly. “Like you’re willing to wander around NYC—which let’s be real, is not your favorite place—for who knows how long, trying to find this girl.” When I don’t say anything, she adds, “With no plan.”
Taking another sip, I say, “I’d do a lot more than that if it means she’ll talk to me.”
Em is trying her best to control herself, but she’s practically giddy as she holds her mug up to her lips in a terrible attempt at hiding her grin. “You love her.”
“Em,” I say in my best disapproving tone, but her accusation still makes my neck hot. “I’ve basically known her for less than a week.”
