AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My eyes remain locked on him as he combs his fingers through his hair and briefly looks up at the sky.
Is that the look of a guy who’s just had the best afternoon of his life?
Or is it the look of a man frustrated to hell because he’s had a girl in his room all afternoon and got nothing out of it?
It’s going to fucking kill me not to know.
I wait another two hours before I make my move.I wanted to wait longer, but my patience is only so good when it comes to Abigail Bancroft.
I manage to slip out of the Chapel unnoticed and use the shadows around campus to my advantage, making my way to the Bronte Building.
All day I’ve stayed away.
But I’m done now.
I need my fix.
23
ABIGAIL
By the time I get back to my room, I’m exhausted.
I shut the world away and go through the motions.
Shower. Change. Brush my teeth.
At least I can remember how to perform basic hygiene rituals.
Ethan offered to let me shower in his room, but I declined. The same way I’d told him no when he offered to take me out for dinner.
I have no interest in bonding with him. But something had broken inside me earlier. Another piece of my heart shattered.
I knew if I didn’t go with him, I’d do something I would regret. So I went.
He didn’t push me to talk or do anything really. He simply offered me some water, a dry hoodie, and space. I curled up on his bed while he studied quietly at his desk. Then when I finally felt back in control of my emotions, he walked me back to my building.
I don’t know how to feel about his sudden interest in being my friend but there was something comforting about being in his room. Alone but not alone.
My phone vibrates and I check the incoming texts. One from Tally and two from Raine.
I ignore them all and climb into bed instead.
It’s still early, too early to be even thinking of going to sleep. But every day the claws of grief, of utter hopelessness pull me a little bit closer to that black, bottomless abyss.
I’m trying. Putting on a brave face and attending most of my classes. But I’m barely present. Even if I smile here and there, nod, and offer the occasional answer when called upon in class, I’m not really there.
Tears burn the backs of my eyes as pain rocks through me, bartering my insides. It’s been weeks but I’m not getting better.
Time is proving not to be the great healer everyone talks about.
I’m different. Inherently changed.
Inherently broken.
And I can’t seem to piece myself back together.
Maybe it’s because I lost more than just my father that night.
