Page 31 of Framed

Neither one of us was expecting company.

Neither one of us moved or breathed.

A second passed and another knock came, harder this time. Panic wrapped in fear flashed in Winter’s green eyes.

“I’ll get it,” I told her quietly, not sparing another glance in her direction as my confident steps waded over the cool apartment’s wooden floor. “Stay here.”

“Who is it?” I called before looking into the peephole. The figure was facing away from the door, but from the slight profile I was able to make out, I could tell it was male.

I thought back to Briggs’ warning and silently cursed myself for not being more adamant about getting the man’s name. Now would be a good time for him to make an appearance.

I was about to ask again when the figure turned and all of the air left my lungs. I froze in place as a trembling hand shot to my mouth. My heart was racing at least a million miles a minute as I stared at the door in horror.

“Are you going to let me in, Scar?” I flinched at his use of my old nickname. I hadn’t heard that voice in years. It was more mature and deeper than I remembered but there was no mistaking it was him.

No…

What washedoing here?

Footsteps shuffled closer behind me and I didn’t need to look back to know that Winter didn’t obey my command.

“Scarlett?” Winter asked cautiously from behind me. “Who is it?”

I knew how crazy I looked right now. She probably thought I was the resident nut job. I only met her a few days ago and I was already causing problems. First I crashed her meal at the dining hall, now this. But I didn’t know what to say.

How to react.

What was he doing here?

Howwas he here?

I stood there motionless and kept my gaze locked on the door. As if I developed magical powers overnight and could see through it. Maybe I was still dreaming, still trapped in the nightmare. That’s the lie I told myself anyway.

“Do you want me to get it?” Winter stepped closer and the worry etched in her voice snapped me out of my trance. “Scarlett…”

“It’s him,” I said quietly, so low I wasn’t sure if she heard me. My throat was dry and I had to physically restrain myself from staring at the door again.

Her wide eyes took me in and her eyebrows knitted in confusion until understanding flashed in her bright orbs. “Xavier?”

I nodded.

“What do you need me to do?” For the second time in the span of a week, Winter displayed no judgment, no question, just straight to the action. Maybe I shouldn’t have dismissed the opportunity to be her friend as quickly as I did.

Maybe wecouldbe friends. Outside of Naomi and the women at the center, I couldn’t remember a time when I felt so in tune with another girl.

“I can’t…” I started but emotion clogged my throat. “I can’t see him.”

“Let me in, Scarlett.” I flinched again. I hated how his gravelly voice alone regressed me back to my teenage self.

Winter studied me for a second before she nodded, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll handle it. Go back to your room.”

I opened my mouth to protest but she cut me off with a swift shake of her head. “Scarlett, go. I got this. Let me help.”

And I do. In a daze, I turned and retreated to the safety of my room, wondering how exactly I ended up in this predicament.

Fate: 5

Scarlett: 0

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