Page 74 of Hidden

Miles

I saw what you did with the flowers. It hurt more than it should have.

Still nothing. She gets up, walks to the kitchen, and pours herself a glass of water. Her movements are sharp, and angry.

Miles

Talk to me, Sadie. I know you’re upset.

She finally picks up her phone. Types. Deletes. Types again.

Sadie

Leave me alone.

My chest tightens, but a dark smile pulls at my lips. There she is.

Miles

I’m only here to care for you. Even when you push me away.

Sadie

Caring for me doesn’t mean breaking into my room and watching me sleep. It doesn’t mean hacking my laptop or leaving gifts like some fucking ghost. This is insane.

Miles

Is it insane that I know you better than anyone else? That I see how hard you push yourself and just want to make things easier for you? The flowers were because I know you like them. The coffee was because you forget to eat after practice. I pay attention, Sadie. No one else does. School work, I only want you to finish with the best grade you can get.

She reads the message. Her thumb hovers. She doesn’t reply for several minutes, but she doesn’t block me either.

Sadie

You scare me.

Miles

Good. You should be scared of the world. It’s ugly. But you don’t have to be scared of me. I would burn the whole world down before I let anything touch you. I thought you understood that after the other night. After the way you came for me.

Her head snaps up and she looks straight toward the hidden camera in the living room like she can feel me watching. She wraps her arms around herself.

Sadie

Stop. Just… stop. I don’t know what I was thinking. This has to end.

Miles

You don’t want it to end. That’s why you’re still texting me. That’s why you wore the bracelet for the day straight before you took it off today. You like knowing I’m always there. You liked my voice in your ear telling you exactly what to do. You liked coming while I listened.

She stands up and starts pacing the small living room, running a hand through her hair.

Sadie

You’re dangerous. This isn’t normal.

Miles

Normal is overrated. Normal is lonely. I see you, Sadie. The real you. The girl who smiles for everyone but cries in the shower when she thinks no one can hear. The girl who’s exhausted from carrying everyone else. Let me carry some of it. Let me take care of you the way you deserve.