Page 99 of Prove Me Wrong
More important than me, it feels.
Dad’s head tilts as he lets out a breath, the line in his shoulders sloping, loosening his posture.
“You are, too, Mia. Even if she doesn’t say it out loud.”
My jaw ticks, eyes dropping from his intense ones. “Right. I’m going to Sinnett’s,” I mumble out and turn for the door.
“I told her to leave Monday morning open to spend some time with you.”
Frowning, I glance over my shoulder at his troubled face, lips parting in surprise.
“I heard you in the bathroom. Thought you could use the time to talk with her about…” His words drop off, an uneasiness settling in his muscles.
Swallowing, my lips twitch as I pull away from the door. “And she listened to you?”
Dad sniffs a laugh. “I don’t think your mum ever listens to me, so I texted her assistant to block out her meeting time for you.”
Chin dipping, I run my fingers through my silky hair, hating that I have to have her assistant make time to speak with Mum, but it’s better than nothing. “Thanks, Dad.” My smile appears again when a honk sounds outside. “That’s Sin.”
His hands come out of his pockets, lifting to touch my shoulder gently. It feels nice, like something I have craved for months is finally back. Such a small movement has a big effect on how I’m feeling inside. “Go. I’ll tell your mum you’ll be there for the night.”
“Thank you, Dad,” I murmur.
He opens the door for me and lets me go into the cold night.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
NOAH
“Chocolate?” Nathan asks, looking down at the display of pastries lining the wooden tabletop.
Sugary goodness fills my nose, but I can’t bring myself to look at the croissant, remembering Mia wiping the syrup from my mouth and licking it off her thumb at the Autumn Festival. I told her that I wanted to kiss her, and even though she was taken aback by my words, I could see the shimmer of interest in her eyes. The way she stilled, both afraid and captivated.
“No,” I murmur, readjusting Jade on my hip. “Get me the lemon one.”
Nathan nods, grabbing one as I peer up the aisle of the market. It’s Sunday morning, normally when Mia would be getting her iced latte. Sometimes she got herself a treat, and even something for Jade and me.
Shaking my head, I push the memory out. She’s gone, and she might not be coming back. Maybe I need to forget about her, since she hasn’t unblocked my number. She hasn’t spoken to me for a week, and it’s felt like the longest week of my life.
Nathan hands me the croissant, and I tear off a bit for Jade, who munches it down quickly. Bright apple eyes stare at Nathan’s chocolatecroissant. Taking pity, he gives her a bit, too. Normally her legs would be swinging, smile pulling in her soft cheeks, but I can tell she feels Mia’s disappearance as well.
Walking to the next stall, my gaze skims over the faces of every other person here in the hopes of seeing her. I know deep down that she’s not. That she’s still in Sydney, but I lean on that hope. It’s all I have right now.
Wooden stalls line the paved area, covered in light coloured covers, with signs advertising each small business from local farmers and store owners. I know most of these people, having lived here my whole life, but I don’t feel like talking with anyone. I have barely left the house, apart from work and taking Jade to Jump Start. Her cries have gotten worse this week. She’s definitely felt the void in our lives. The exhaustion pulls me down. It pains me. June has helped me out on the days that Mia is meant to be watching her, but it didn’t feel the same coming home to June’s voice, although the many containers of lemon squares did help.
Biting into my croissant, zesty and sugary, my eyes catch on the stall a couple of metres away. Pulling Jade tighter to my side, I walk us over to the younger girl, who has to have just finished high school, standing quietly behind the wooden bench. Dressed in denim overalls with a thick purple jumper underneath, she gives Jade and me a small smile that shows off her shiny braces. “Hello.”
“Hey,” I murmur, looking down at the selection.
My eyes are glued to the stack of hair bows she has on display. There are so many colours, and I wonder where Mia brought all of hers from. Maybe they have been collected over time?
“Are you looking for a gift for someone?” she asks kindly, grinning at Jade, who shoves her hand into her mouth.
I just shrug. “Something like that.” I don’t want to talk abouther. If I say Mia’s name, I don’t know how I’ll react.
I feel Nathan at my side when I reach out, picking up a light grey hair bow. The colour alone reminds me of her eyes, the softness to their cloudy shade. They were approachable, but it didn’t match her hesitancy when I first met her. But I understand why she was so cautious at first. Why she didn’t want to speak. Why she trembled and rubbed at her elbows.
Hedid that, and I’ll happily hurt him if I come across him.
