Page 12 of Crystal Iris
“Figure of speech.”
“Was it?” She stops looking at me.
“It’s worth trying,” I say, lying down on the bed.
“Is it? Because you could have died in the fire.”
“That fire had nothing to do with my necklace,” I lie, both to her and to myself.
“Right.” She takes another long sip. “It hurts to know that you don’t trust me.”
I feel the sting of her words. Aside from Aaron, she’s my closest friend.
“Of course I trust you.” I move to sit next to her on her bed.
“Then why don’t you tell me the truth? Why can’t you get rid of this thing?”
I take two deep breaths. I brace myself, and then I tell her everything. I tell her about the letter, the times I’ve seen it light up, about Darion, the night of the fire, and even the guy. I expect her to be shocked, but surprisingly, her response is gentle.
“And all that doesn’t freak you out?” she asks, her voice soft.
“No, maybe it should, but it doesn’t. I know it sounds completely nuts, but I feel like the energy in it is… good.”
She grabs my hand. “Okay, then.”
“Okay? That’s it? You’re not going to keep asking me to burn it?”
“This whole thing scares the shit out of me, but I’m not going to let you do this alone. I’m here if you need me.”
“Crazy or not?”
“Crazy or not.”
“Thank you.”
I finally sleep through the night.
I wait for him to open the door when I ring the bell.
“Why are you ringing the bell?” Aaron asks, looking handsome. There’s something about him in gym clothes, sweaty after a workout, that turns me on.
“I wasn’t sure if I should use my keys.”
“Iris, this is your home.” My hateful words hang between us.
“I know. I’m sorry for what I said; I didn’t mean it.”
He walks to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of water, and I follow him.
“Aaron, I’m sorry.”
He comes closer and kisses me lightly. His lips taste salty. He pulls back and asks, “How was your trip? Where did you even go?”
“Salem.”
He spits his water. “What the hell? That’s your idea of fun?”
“Well, Akira’s idea.”
