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"Come here," I murmur, and without delay, he walks over like he's been waiting for my invitation. He stands next to the bed and I scoot over, pushing my covers aside wordlessly, an invitation for him to slip in.
He hesitates for a brief second before sliding into bed with me, his face turned towards mine. A deep breath reveals his delicious scent…but also the smell of alcohol. Evidently Noah’s been out drinking.
"Where have you been?" I ask.
He shrugs, as if he doesn't know, or maybe he doesn't think it really matters. I inhale again, part of me sniffing for the smell of perfume, of Stacy's perfume to be exact, but there's no hint of any of that.
"I'm sorry about what happened," he tells me. "I didn't mean to make a scene at the hospital, but when I think about the fact that he was seated right next to you…at the table… and he just… Either he didn’t give a fuck to pay attention or just didn’t care that someone put something in your food. So when I saw his fucking face there at the hospital, looking all fucking concerned, I just lost it. I just… couldn’t take it."
"We don't know that someone put something in my food. It could have been a mistake in the kitchen," I say, although neither of us really believes that.
"I—I don't think I could survive if something happened to you, little stalker," he whispers, his words causing a tingling in my veins.
"Nothing's going to happen to me," I promise.
He nods, but his hand reaches between us and grabs mine, bringing it to his heart. I can feel the rapid beat of it through his chest, but his features don't match the anxiety I'm sensing.
"You were lying there on the ground, and you were so pale. There was even a tinge of blue around your lips."
"You saved me," I remind him, sensing that he's caught back in that moment, and needing to get him out of it. "Not only that, but you also gave the school lots to talk about," I chuckle darkly. “By this time tomorrow, I wouldn't be surprised if they started to build a statue in honor of your heroics.”
"Fuck them," he says lazily. And I know he really couldn't care less.
"Can I sleep in here?" he asks, and there’s a funny feeling behind my eyes, like I’m about to burst into tears at his question.
It seems like only seconds before he falls asleep, my hand still held tight against his chest, but it takes far longer for me to fall asleep, because like the creep I am, I'm savoring this moment with him, as usual, not sure that I'll get another one.
And sure enough, after a couple hours of laying there, I fall asleep. And when I wake up…he's gone.
* * *
It's my first day back at school and I'm trying to play it cool, but I feel just as nervous as I ever do. Is anyone going to comment about what happened?
To my surprise, for the most part, people ignore my presence as I walk down the hall. Including Noah, who’s talking to a group of friends and doesn't look over as I pass by. When I get into class, Kyle's sitting there though, and it’s obvious he has no intention of ignoring me. He smiles awkwardly as I sit down.
It's funny how things can change. I've always thought that Kyle was attractive, but right now, there is nothing I deem desirable in him.
"I'm glad you're okay," he comments lamely, and I shoot him a bland smile, nodding as I get my books and place them on my desk.
"You’re not mad at me, right?" he asks.
"What would I be mad at you for?" I ask, straightening my pencils.
"For what happened at the hospital. I didn’t mean to start something with your brother."
"He's not my brother," I snap, too quickly.
"Right… I mean…your stepbrother," Kyle says slowly.
I'm screaming at myself for giving too much away, but luckily I'm saved from any further conversation by the teacher starting her lecture, and when class ends, I hustle out, doing my best to get away when usually I would walk with Kyle.
Needing a break, I slip into the bathroom and lock myself in one of the stalls, wondering how life has gotten so complicated since I moved here. The bathroom door opens and I hear familiar voices chatting. It’s Stacy and her friends.
“No one told me she wasthatallergic. My gosh, I wouldn't try to kill her," she jokes, and her friends titter away.
Of course, I immediately know what she's talking about.
It was Stacy all along.
