Page 51 of Press Play

I ran like a coward instead of facing him and the truth.

The truth is that I’ve liked him from the start of it all. I was his at our first hello, and I’ll be his past our final farewell.

Slumping against the bench, I roll my head back and stare at the tree’s leaves overhead.

Worthless. . .

A waste of space.

A burden.

Two out of three.

“Shit,” I whisper as tears spill from my eyes.

Theo doesn’t want me. This was nothing more than entertaining our curiosity.

I’ll say it was a mistake. . . but I’d be lying.

He wouldn’t have said that if this was a lapse in judgment. Which means?—

“Just breathe, just breathe, just breathe.”

He meant it. Our kiss was real . . . Fuck, what did I get myself into?

A familiar ring sounds from my pocket, and I jolt from the sudden disturbance.

I chant “Please don’t be Theo” in my head before peeking at the screen. I sigh in relief when I see it’s my sisters video calling me.

“Hey, guys.”

“Are you okay!?” Pen asks when my face comes into focus.

“What’s wrong? Something told me to call you!” Amelia states, her familiar brown eyes wrinkling at the corners in concern.

“I’m fine?—”

“Don’t lie,” they say at the same time.

With a chuckle, I wipe my eyes and drop my shoulders. “Today has been. . . eventful.”

“How so?” Pen asks.

“This tea is hot.” I let out another weak laugh.

“That’s the best kind,” Amelia says jokingly. “But you can trust us.”

There was a time when I wouldn’t and couldn’t rely on my two sisters. That all changed after Mom and Dad split two years ago. I forget who started our group chat, but we use it to check in with one another. We’ve come to lean on each other for support.

“I’ve been staying with Theo,” I tell them.

“Why?” Amelia’s brow knits together.

I stare at them both for a moment. They still talk to our mother but are slowly coming to understand why I stopped.

“Mom came by my apartment. I”—I clear my throat—“didn’t feel safe after that. Theo offered to let me stay with him until we know she doesn’t return, but. . .”

“Oh, this is gonna be good.” Pen squirms.

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