Page 44 of Wraith

I leaned against the kitchen counter, red solo cup in hand, barely paying attention to the conversation circling around me. Some guy—Wes, I think—was telling a story about sneaking into a professor’s office. His arms flailed as he spoke, nearly knocking into a girl behind him. Beer sloshed over the rim of his cup, splattering onto the counter.

The people around him laughed, and I forced a smirk. Just enough to blend in.

I should’ve been enjoying this. It should’ve been easy—letting go, pretending none of it mattered.

But my mind wouldn’t shut the fuck up.

Aeron should’ve been here, standing next to me, muttering some sarcastic remark about how much of a dumbass Wes was. Kael would be flipping that stupid fucking coin between his fingers, unimpressed by it all.

And Ciaran?—

My grip tightened around the cup. I tipped my head back, downing half the drink, drowning the thought before it could take root and fester. They weren’t here. They weren’t coming.

"Hey, you okay?"

The voice snapped me out of my head.

I turned, meeting her eyes. Elise.

She was stunning—dark eyes, full lips, hair that fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Too stunning, in a way that made my chest ache like a fresh wound.

For half a second, she looked like her.

Lilith.

I blinked, and it was gone. Just a trick of the light. Just my fucked-up brain playing games with me.

Elise smiled, tilting her head. "You’ve been staring at your drink for like five minutes. Bad mix, or deep thoughts?"

I exhaled sharply, forcing a smirk. "Little bit of both."

She laughed, and something about the sound dug under my ribs, sharp and familiar.

Lilith used to laugh like that.

I shoved the thought aside before it could dig deeper.

"You came with Wes, right?" she asked, leaning against the counter beside me.

"Yeah. Met him through a class. Seemed chill enough."

Elise snorted. "That’s one word for it. He’s entertaining, I’ll give him that."

I followed her gaze to where Wes was reenacting some grand escape from campus security, nearly face-planting in the process. The people around him howled with laughter.

It should’ve felt good to be around people again. People who weren’t drowning in grief, in ghosts, in memories that refused to let go.

I hadn’t realized how much I’d needed this.

Elise nudged me lightly with her elbow. "You don’t seem like the party type."

I smirked. "What gave it away?"

"The brooding. The leaning against the counter like you’re too cool for this." She grinned. "But you’re still here."

"Guess I figured I’d try the whole social thing again."

Her expression softened. "Yeah? And how’s that working out for you?"

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