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“Elliot. He hasn’t come to see how you’re doing?”
“No, why would he?”
“Come on, Abs. I know the last week or so has been rough. But you’re not stupid. Elliot cares about you. He?—”
“I’m really tired,” I rush out. “Can we pick this back up another time?”
“I’ll stay with you, I don’t mind.”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t need a babysitter. I’m sure I’ll feel a bit better after I’ve had a sleep.”
“But—”
“Thanks for coming.” I herd her away from the door. “I’ll speak to you soon.”
Tally regards me, her brows knitted together. “I’ll check on you tomorrow,” she says.
I nod because what else can I do?
It isn’t that I don’t want her or the girls to check on me. I just can’t pull myself out of it. It’s too raw. Too painful.
She has Oakley, and Olivia has Reese, and Raine has Theo, and I’m happy for them, I am. To have found that kind of unconditional, unwavering love. But I’ll never have that. I’ll never know?—
I shove the thoughts out, giving Tally a small wave as she backs out of my room.
“Please, Abs. If you need anything…”
Another nod.
Another false promise.
She gives me a weak smile and I close the door, sealing myself off from her. From reality.
It’s better this way.
Better to hide—something I’ve spent the last five years of my life doing.
But as I get back into bed and pull the covers up around me, I can’t help but replay her words over in my head.
Elliot cares about you.
He does, I know that.
Just not in the way I hoped.
* * *
Imiss an entire week of classes, but I can hardly find it in myself to care.
Mrs Danvers and Miss Linley both came to check on me, to make sure I’m looking after myself. But it’s the girls who finally pull me out of the black hole I’ve found myself in.
“Come on, Abs,” Tally calls as I delay the inevitable.
They turned up at my door ten minutes ago, insisting that I get out of my room and get some fresh air with an impromptu trip to Dessert Island, our favourite bakery in town.
I don’t want to go but I also know I can’t wallow for much longer before they stage a more serious intervention.
“Coming,” I yell back as I grip the sink and stare at myself in the mirror.
