I scowled at her. I knew she was just trying to be a good friend, but I had reached my social limit for the night. “How am I doing? Well, let’s see. I didn’t want to come to this party to begin with, but Daisy insisted it would be good for us. I start to actually enjoy myself and relax. Then my best friend kisses me and completely turns my world upside down. Overall, I’m fantastic!” I said sarcastically. “How do you think I’m doing, Fallon? I can’t breathe, and I can’t go back in there. I can’t face her! What is wrong with me? She probably thinks I’m insane!”
She came up next to me and gave me a hug. “No, she doesn’t, okay? She’s actually really concerned. She wanted to come find you, but I had Drea tell her I wanted to be the one to check on you. I didn’t think you’d be ready to face her yet. She’s worried you’re sick or something.”
I groaned. “I am sick! The way I kissed her was anything but platonic, and I feel horrible about it! I feel like such a creep, like I took advantage of her or something.”
“Oh, stop. I saw that kiss, Kaia. Trust me, no one was being taken advantage of underneath that mistletoe. She’s just worried. You should go find her and talk to her. I’m sure the whole thing has blown over by now.”
“I hate when she’s worried about me, but I don’t think I can see her right now. I can see Drea and Kenzie laughing at me now.”
“You know they would never do that. Yeah, they joke around, but it’s because they love you and just want you to be happy. We all do! When she found out about Drea and Blair at the wedding, Kenzie gave them so much shit but promised to keep their secret because she didn’t want to hurt them. And I know it won’t make you feel better, but that kiss was hot as hell. I felt like a voyeur watching you two. I know how long you’ve waited for it. Perhaps not in front of all your friends, but it’s done now. Maybe she feels the same way? Or maybe she doesn’t think anything of it. You won’t know until you talk to her.”
I wiped my tears away and shook my head. “I wasn’t trying to be hot, Fallon. I don’t know what I was trying to do. She kissed me first, but… then I lost control and ruined everything. I have to get out of here. I’m going to call a taxi. Can you tell Daisy the car keys are in my coat? Make sure she gets home safe, please.”
“Kaia—”
I shook my head. I couldn’t stay there. I couldn’t face anyone, especially Daisy. My heart started racing again, and I felt another panic attack coming on. Fallon seemed to notice and nodded. “Of course, Kaia. Whatever you need. I’ll make sure she gets home okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
DAISY
Fallon had been gone for almost thirty minutes,and I was starting to panic. Not only was I surrounded by a room full of people I didn’t really know, and who didn’t know sign language that well, Kaia was missing and my mind went to the worst possible conclusions. She fell off the balcony. She got hit by a car. She?—
A hand gently grabbed my arm, cutting off my internal spiraling. I jumped, only slightly, whirling around to see Fallon, without Kaia.
Blair and Drea were standing next to her, and I feared the worst. I looked between them, panic evident on my face. Drea was the only one out of the group whom I could really communicate with, so my glance landed on hers with a pleading expression.
“Kaia is okay,” she started. I sagged slightly.
“Where is she?” I asked. If she was okay, why wasn’t she there with me?
“She… left. She left the car for you, and told all of us to make sure you got home okay.”
I frowned. She left me? Why would she do that? “What? Why?”
Drea looked to Fallon, who whispered something in Drea’s ear. “You should talk to Kaia. Do you need one of us to drive you?” Drea placed a warm hand on my wrist.
“No. I’m fine on my own.” My movements were sharp and anything but fine. Kaia had some real explaining to do.
I turned to leave but stopped when a hand landed on my arm. I whipped around to see Blair looking at me with soft eyes. I frowned, confused. I didn’t know her that well, but we talked occasionally. Kaia spent a lot of time with her when they were fighting with Drea, so I knew they had become close. She knew basic signs and attended every class.
“Please don’t be mad at her. She’s just scared.”
“Of what? What is going on?” I asked. I was tired of not knowing what everyone else seemed to know.
But she just shook her head. “The party. It… was too much. Look, it’s not my place, okay? Just go home and talk to her. But give her some grace and hear her out. She really cares about you and your friendship.”
If she cared about me, then why did she leave me all alone? I took a deep breath and nodded. I had to trust Blair, and I tried not to seethe as I left the party.
I texted Kaia twice before I even made it to the car, but got no answers. At every light I checked my phone, but it was still empty. I decided to send one last text:
Me: THERE BETTER BE A REALLY GOOD REASON FOR YOU TO DITCH ME AT THAT PARTY, KAIA CELESTE! I MEAN IT!
At first, I was worried, and in the back of my mind, I still was. But that worry was quickly turning into anger. We always talked about our issues. We didn’t run away from them.
When I finally made it home, my anger turned back into concern when I saw the look on her face. She looked defeated. Red circles around her eyes. Puffy red nose like she had been crying.
I brought up my hands to ask what was wrong, to yell at her and ask why she just left me alone, but she ran out of the room before I could get the chance. I wanted to chase after her, but I could tell something was really bothering her, so I decided to give her some space.
