Page 38 of Piece By Piece

“Aye aye, ma’am. No touching the ponytail. Message received.”

“God, you’re an idiot,” I scoff, even as my lips tip up without my head’s command.

“As long as I’m the idiot that manages to make you smile, I’m fine with that title.” He leans back. Again, my heart does something funny in my chest. He keeps watching me closely. “Will you tell me what’s up, Aliena?”

I swallow thickly and try to keep my smile in place. “What makes you think something is up?” I ask. He resumes playing with my hair softly.

“You’re not dancing, you aren’t socializing, and you were uncharacteristically quiet in the car. Plus, there’s something off about your eyes.”

The last part startles a laugh out of me. It’s the second time he mentioned my eyes. I repeat, “My eyes? What’s wrong with them?”

“I don’t know. There’s just something missing. Some spark, or something, if you want me to be cheesy about it. They just look sad,” he observes slowly and every word presses onto my heart like a brick. Great, not only am Ilosing myself but it’s clear to everyone around. I can’t even act happy right.

I just shrug and avert my eyes, which apparently reveal way too much, while a heavy lump clogs my throat. Shit, I wish I had something to drink to banish the uncomfortable feeling.

Instead of another tug on my hair, two fingers encircle my chin and tilt me toward his handsome face. Even now with that preoccupied line between his furrowed brows, he’s fucking beautiful.

“Hey, no, come on. Talk to me. What the hell just put that look on your face?” he demands softly. I shrug again, feeling those damned tears coming.

I swallow thickly and do my best to reply. “Just tired,” I try to say but to my horror, my voice breaks. Just like that, the dam is broken, and my tears start falling. I’m mortified and shove his hand from my face to turn away from him. He shouldn’t see me fall apart. I can’t believe this is happening here.

“Aliena,” he says softly, speaking to my back. I ignore him, trying to stifle my sniffles and barely trusting myself to breathe without sobbing. Sebastian curses and I can feel the couch dip as he gets up from it. Before I can even think that he’s leaving, he’s standing in front of me, hugging me as well as it’s possible.

I stiffen momentarily, unsure of what to do. I don’t remember the last time I cried in front of another person, not to mention was comforted by someone. It feels strange and it only seems to make me want to cry more. It hurts. Breathing hurts, crying hurts, and this hug somehow hurts too.

After a few minutes of him holding me while my arms stay limp at my side, he crouches down so hisface is right in front of me and cups my cheeks. “Let’s go outside for a second, yeah? We can talk in my car,” he proposes but I’m already shaking my head, wiping at my face.

“No. No, this is Lily’s party. God, what is wrong with me? I’m fine, really.” It’s always the same with me. Why do I insist on making everything about myself? I’m such a fucking attention seeker.

“Aliena, you are not fine. Whatever is going on is taking its toll on you and it shows.” He sighs, looking unsure. “Sweetheart, I didn’t want to say anything but is it possible you lost weight? Like, a lot in the short time we haven’t seen each other? Is that what’s going on?”

The more he speaks, the more embarrassed I become. Have I lost weight? I haven’t noticed but it’s not unlikely with how little I’ve been eating. What can I say, lunch is expensive and I have to save money where I can.

Before I can start crying more, I grit my teeth and force my voice to be pure steel as I snap at him. “Of course not! I don’t have an eating disorder, Sebastian, I’ve just been busy. Some of us have to work, you know. Now, I’d be very happy if you could just keep your observations about my eyes and my body to yourself. I said I’m fine. Whether you believe me or not is up to you but at least take the hint and stop pushing. We’re friends but that doesn’t mean I owe you an explanation.”

At first, he looks taken aback by my outburst but finally, he nods. “Okay, I’ll let it go for now. But if you go MIA again or if I feel like you’re getting worse, don’t think I won’t try to talk to you again. I’m worried about you,” he insists, and my heart breaks and melts at the same time. Who would have thought Sebastian could be socompassionate?

“Noted and appreciated. I think it’s time I get a drink now. Wanna help me look for the birthday girl?” I ask him. Surprisingly enough, I seem to be feeling a little better now that I’m done with that little meltdown.

“Sure.”

Chapter 19

Sebastian

Our first stop is at the makeshift bar, where I insist on paying for Aliena’s drink. I was raised a gentleman, after all. Technically. She barely put up a fight and thanked me for it with another one of those fake ass smiles. I didn’t comment on it, but I wasn’t lying when I said I was worried about her.

After getting her the drink, we look for Lily and Andrew, which is no easy feat since there are alotof people here. After having searched the whole premises, we move on to the small corridor in the back that leads to all the bathrooms. Surprisingly enough, that’s where Lily’s voice finally meets my ears.

She’s laughing loudly about something, trying to speak as she does, and Aliena and I exchange a puzzled look. Then she shrugs and heads straight for the door her friend is behind, entering without knocking. I have a bad feeling about the whole thing but follow her, nonetheless.

The bathroom is spacious, with rosy floor tiles and harmonically matching walls. The lights above illuminate the room much more than the lights in the corridor did, so much so that I have to close my eyes for a second.

“Aly! Seb!” I hear Lily squeal and open my eyes. She’s already holding her friend’s hands, swinging them happilyas she nearly jumps where she stands. Her face is bright and she’s smiling. When I look at Aliena, I find the exact opposite. She looks positively horrified.

“Lil? What are you doing here?” she asks slowly, sanding completely still. I don’t understand why she’s acting like she just walked in on her friend murdering someone. Lily seems fine. A little energetic but fine, nonetheless.

“Having fun!” Lily exclaims, then twirls around herself. Then she knocks on the door of one of the stalls and says, “Tip, come out. I want you to meet my friends,” she says. Aliena shakes her head.

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