“Taking your phone…”
“Give me that back—”
There’s a slight tussle between us. Eventually, Haru hands it back to me. My vision is hazy as I stare at the screen. “Wait—what did you do?”
“I sent Kevin your location.”
“Kevin?Why would you do that?”
“So he can come get you.”
“I don’t want him to come get me,” I say, trying to undo the message. “I can’t believe you did that!”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“As if you care about me.”
“Of course I do,” he says.
“Then where were you all week?” I look at him. “I waited for you every day and you never showed up.”
Haru doesn’t say anything.
“Is it because I went with Christian that one time? Was that your way of getting back at me? And now you showed up, just because I’m drunk?”
Haru sighs. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”
“I don’t need you to do that!”
Suddenly, my phone vibrates. I squint at the screen. Kevin is calling me. I consider letting it go to voicemail. But I don’t want him thinking something’s wrong. He might end up calling my parents. So I take a deep breath and pick up the phone.
“Hello?”
Kevin’s voice comes through. “Eric? Is everything alright?”
“Yeah, yeah, everything’s alright.” The words feel funny in my mouth. “What’s up?”
“Are you… drunk right now?”
“No, I’m completely fine. I’m not drunk, like, at all.”
Haru leans forward. “He’s lying.”
I pull the receiver away. “Haru, be quiet!”
“Who’s Haru? Is somebody with you?”
“No, it’s just me! Nobody else is here.”
“Where are you right now?” Kevin asks.
I take a look around me. It’s still hard to see clearly. “I’m not sure.”
“I have your location. I’ll just come pick you up.”
“No, you don’t have to! Kevin, I swear, I’mfine.”
But Kevin ignores this. “I’m leaving right now. Promise you will stay there, okay?”
