AllFreeNovel
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The tightness in my chest returns with greater force.
You’re the one who wanted this. Think about your end goal.
But what good is an end goal if I don’t feel happy when everything is decided?
My blood heats in my veins, and I launch the pillow across the room. It lands with a soft thump near the door. Instead of feeling relieved, it feels as if someone is squeezing my throat.
Nothing makes the uncomfortable feeling go away. All my rationalization tactics fail, and I’m stuck staring at the ceiling, wondering if I made the right choice. It sure as hell doesn’t feel like it.
Not even a little bit.
* * *
I thought I could get information out of Ani about Zahra’s recovery, but she is ignoring me. Every text I’ve sent Ani has gone unanswered. I’m going a bit crazy since Zahra took a whole week off after she was discharged from the hospital.
All I want to know is if Zahra is feeling better. But Ani didn’t show up to our usual meet-up spot last night, and I was stuck eating my pretzel and hers. The ripple effect of my actions is starting to hit me like a tsunami.
I’ve resorted to stalking my buddy at her workplace because I hate the fact that she’s mad at me. If she were anyone else, I wouldn’t care. But Ani’s grown on me during my time at Dreamland.
“Hey.” I tap on Ani’s shoulder.
She tenses before turning around. “Hi. Can I help you with picking out some candy, sir?”
“Come on, Ani.” I pretend her words don’t bother me.
Her frown adds to the growing tension in my shoulders.
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“Too bad. I’m your boss.”
She makes a disgusted noise as I grip her elbow lightly and take her to the empty back room of the candy store.
“Spit it out.” She stomps her foot.
The fist around my heart tightens as she shoots me a hard look I’ve never seen on her before.
“I thought we were friends.” Ani and I built a bond over the last few months, and I don’t want her pushing me away. I’ve grown to like her as a friend. The idea of her not talking to me anymore makes me sadder than I care to admit.
She shakes her head. “That was before you hurt my sister.”
“So what? We’re not friends anymore?”
“Nope.”
“You don’t mean that.”
She scowls. “Zahra’s my best friend and you made hercry.”
The inhale I take burns my eyes. “Your sister and I are—”
“Done. She told me.” Ani’s bottom lip wobbles.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you too.”
“I helped you hurt her. With the pumpkins, and New York.” Her eyes shine from unshed tears.
Fuck. Ani feels responsible for my actions?I never meant for her to carry the burden of my decisions.
