AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sure, sure,” I ridicule even as I continue grinning.
She clears her throat, tone dropping an octave. “Just so we’re clear, I would’ve been alright with any of these choices.” It gets higher again the more she speaks. “But I’m not mad at this.”
Of course not. Why would she be? She gets her boyfriendandher best friend in one place. It’s a win-win.
“I know.”
Her smile slips into a full-blown one and I’m positive she could’ve tackled me to the ground with how fast she charged me. Hugging me and jumping up and down. The chair I was in long forgotten.
The librarian definitely hates me now, but I’ll get over it. She might not, but oh well. This is our moment.
“Not trying to play favorites, because again, I would’ve gone to any of these.” Voice stern as she pauses, needing me to know she’s telling the truth.
I do, which is why I go easy on her. “You were hoping I’d lean more toward this one?”
“Exactly,” Hailey whooshes out. The relief ever present.
The sound like the sweetest sung hymn.
She grabs at my hands, swinging them between us. “We’re going to college. Can you believe it?” Her natural optimism loosens those tightened muscles of worry and doubt I still carry.
Do I believe it? Not necessarily, but like everything else in my life, I’d find a way to adjust and thrive.
Me, going to college? Who would’ve thought?
“I’ll meet you outside, I’m going to run to the bathroom first,” Hailey says before disappearing into the restroom.
I nod, understanding, and am actually grateful for the moment alone. I decided on a college.A freaking college.I need a second to process this.
My head is still spinning. I decide at the last second that it’d be quicker to exit KPA through one of the side doors instead of the never-ending main hall.
An uneasiness starts to settle over me, but I chalk that up to the nerves of being overwhelmed. That high from earlier starting to wear down.
The small bubble inside me, carrying my excitement, ruptures like ice on a lake. Stumbling into the last two people I ever thought I’d see having a conversation.
Alone.
“Madison?”
I widen my eyes, not trusting what’s right before me.
“Eli?” I breathe out in the same confusion.
He doesn’t jump but he might as well have with how harshly he pushes himself back. Taking one giant step that would equal roughly three normal paces away from Madison.
“Did I…” Interrupt something? Gulping, I’m not able to finish my sentence.
“No,” Eli answers, not meeting my gaze. His caught, holding on to the person across from him. “We’re finished anyway.”
I’ve never heard him sound so distant, cold as he is now. He’s never spoken like this around me. His choice of wording strange, almost sounding like it carries a double meaning.
When I don’t do anything but continue to gawk, Madison hisses, “Go away, Rory.”
With the choked out way she says this I’d be dumb not to notice how it sounds like she’s been crying or at least is on the verge. Holding, her breath turns rigid and shaky.
“Are you okay?” The question springs from genuine concern and has nothing to do with what I think of her personally.
I didn’t understand if she was fighting with her demons or if she was staring at one.
