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She takes off toward the rack of trays before joining the queue.
“It’s good to see you up and about.” Liv lets her unspoken meaning hang between us. “How was your weekend?”
“Fine.”
“Abi, you refused to see anyone or leave your room.”
“I didn’t feel up to it.” I shrug, glancing away from her to watch the rest of the student population go about their lunch break.
“Hey.” Her hand covers mine. “I didn’t mean to upset you. We’re worried.”
Sliding my hand away, I meet her gaze and let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m doing my best.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“I heard Elliot went on a date Friday.”
Crap. The words are out before I can stop them.
One of Liv’s brows lifts as she studies me. “Where did you hear that?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
I regret asking.
Regret giving her any indication that I care.
“What’s going on between the two of you? He’s extra grumpy than usual and you barely look in his direction anymore.”
“It doesn’t matter,” I whisper, relieved when Tally arrives back with our lunch.
Not that I can eat.
I pick at my chips, remaining quiet as they discuss their weekend. The one they spent together, with their boyfriends.
I shouldn’t feel as bitter and jealous as I do but I can’t help it. The wave of noxious emotions crashing over me with such intensity I have to force myself to take a deep breath.
Before I realise what I’m doing, I bolt out of my seat, causing my test to clatter everywhere.
“Abi, what’s?—”
“I… I just remembered I have a thing.”
“A thing?”
“Y-yeah. I’ll see you later.” Spinning on my heel, I hurry away from them. But not before I hear Liv say, “Let her go.”
That’s all I want. To be given space. Time and distance. But her words still sting. They still drive another nail in our friendship.
I burst out of the cafeteria and scan the hall for my escape route. I need to get out of here. It feels as if the walls are closing in around me. Trapping me.
Suffocating me.
Breath, Abi. Breathe.
It doesn’t work though. I’m in fight-or-flight response. Panic surging through my bloodstream, screaming and screaming at me to run, run, run.
A couple of girls stare at me as I stumble down the hall, my heart racing in my chest so fast it feels ready to explode.
