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He didn’t stop me this time when I ripped the door open, but ten seconds into my sneakers pounding against the stone pathway, his shadow began to trail behind me like an imprinted duckling, following my every turn and swivel. I marched on, ignoring him, until I could hear the faint chatter of his family enjoying their brunch out on the patio.
My pulse thundered as I slowed down. I couldn’t see them yet, which meant they couldn’t see me. Adrien and I were hidden behind a large, perfectly groomed hedge. Three more steps and we’d reach the corner, in full view of the table and its occupants.
I stopped walking.
Sweat trickled down my back, my fingers beginning to tremble as the nausea kicked in. This was the most anxiety-inducing and uncomfortable situation he could have possibly put me in. As far as the revenge thing was concerned, he’d really outdone himself with this one.
I pressed the base of my palms to my eyes and let out a shaky breath, trying to think. I only had three options at this point.
One, march up to the house and come face-to-face with the people that had ruined my life.
Two, march up to the house with my head down, ignore the whole table, go inside, and leave Adrien behind to do the explaining.
Three, stay here and wait them out. Eventually they’d go inside, and I’d sneak upstairs through the side entrance.
“Ria.”
I jerked away when I felt Adrien’s fingers graze my wrist.
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed.
The fact that he was starting to look utterly miserable did nothing to cool my rage. In fact, as far as I was concerned, he had no right to be upset. This was his own doing. He was the one who’dgotten us into this fucking mess.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
“I don’t give a fuck.”
Unless his apology could teleport me out of this nightmare, I didn’t want to hear it.
“I can fix this if you just— What are you doing?”
But I’d already turned the corner.
I was going to bolt into the house. It was the best option out of the three. Not only did it get me out of here faster, but having to explain my behavior to his family would keep Adrien preoccupied while I grabbed my stuff.
My lungs grew too big for my ribs as the carefree chatter and laughter became more prominent, Adrien hot on my tail.
Just don’t look up. Whatever you do, do not make eye contact.
Julie spotted us first, seconds after I turned the corner.
“Ria! Addy!” she called out. I could see her begin to wave in my peripherals.
Keep your head down. Do not engage.
“I’m so happy you guys decided to join us. Come, come.”
Stay strong. You’re less than twenty feet away.
The door was right there. I just needed to—
“Ariana?”
His voice spider-crawled up my spine, making my shoulders hunch instinctively. My feet stuttered.
Don’t look up. Please, please don’t look up.
“Ariana Sanchez?”
