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After catching my balance, I glanced back to see what had tripped me, only to discover that the guy who’d been putting up the flyer with a bunch of beakers, test tubes, and dollar signs on it had left Waverly’s stapler abandoned on the middle of the floor in front of the bulletin board.
Gah. Some people.
I mean, way to burst my groove, man.
I picked up the stapler with an aggravated sigh and returned it to the counter, handing it back to Waverly, who smiled gratefully and murmured, “Thanks,” before answering a question on the phone.
And finally, I left the library, still feeling hopeful but maybe not quite as cocky and cool as I’d originally been.
Still. I had a feeling Waverly and I were going to get to the bottom of this, and sooner rather than later.
We were going to find Thalia’s killer.
35
OAKLYNN
For the rest of the day, I was lost in thought, unable to stop wondering what to do about Damien. I didn’t want him to think that I would just excuse all his bad behavior and allow him to lie to me at will. But…I also wanted to forgive him.
I kept remembering the look on his face when he’d unlocked the door to Thalia’s room. It had taken all his willpower not to run away. This whole thing had to have been pretty traumatic for him.
I mean, who really knewhowyou were supposed to act during a time like this?
I fully believed he’d just been doing the best he could. Although, I kind ofhadto believe that, otherwise I’d have to question every intimate moment we’d ever shared.
And I definitely didn’t want to question those. They had been too real and meaningful. I’d fallen for him just as much as he’d fallen for me. And if I’d known something about him that would change his entire world, I honestly don’t know how I would’ve told him either.
But the bullheaded stubbornness inside me absolutely wouldn’t let me forgive himtoday. If I wasgoingto, then he had to sweat it out for at least…a week.
Except I missed himnow.
He’d spoiled me too much. All that time with him made me want to be around him more. I ached for the slightest glimpse.
And as soon as I got home that evening, strangely not scared—just lonely—Damien was the first person I wanted to call.
But I refrained and worked on homework—alone—before I made myself supper, went upstairs, put some pajamas on, then climbed into bed to scroll through my phone for a while.
I had tried all evening to start a conversation with Thalia, but she was being irritatingly quiet.
Just before I put my phone on the charger for the night, a text came in from Damien.
Good night.
I hissed out a long sigh, not sure if I should even answer. But then I typed out a quick, “Night,” and closed my phone app.
After turning off my bedside lamp, I settled down on my side and stared at the window where the soft glow of streetlights filtered into the room.
“Night, Thalia,” I said aloud. “I miss you, too.”
When she didn’t answer, I closed my eyes.
Sleep didn’t come immediately, but it felt as if I’d just dropped off when something jostled my shoulder roughly.
“Oaklynn!” A familiar voice whispered with urgency. “Come on, Oaklynn. Wake the fuck up.Now.”
A suddenly frigid chill swept over me, and I groaned, tugging the blankets higher over my shoulders. “Damn, Thalia. I’m trying to...”
Remembering that Thalia was no longer alive and therefore shouldnotbe nudging me awake, my eyes flew open. “Wha—?”
