Page 160 of Phobia
“Yes…” Kane replies hesitantly with a thin brow wrinkled in question.
“Who the hell else would we be talking to, bud?” Collin chuckles, and my face flames. I lean back into the couch, trying to bury myself in the deformed cotton.
“But why would you want me to go?”This is a great way to make friends, Madison. Great job.“Erm… sorry,” I blurt shakily. A few of their gazes narrow slightly in confusion, making me squirm harder.
“You’re a bit of a loner, huh.” Kane bumps his shoulder into mine, making me nearly gasp in surprise. I find his eyes on me, but his gaze isn’t cruel. It’s curious.
“Uh, yeah. I’ve…” I rub the back of my neck—yet another nervous habit. I drag my fingers through the short, nearly dried strands there, letting the soft, fuzzy texture calm me some. “I’ve kinda lived a sheltered life and whatnot, so this is all sorta new and strange to me.”
“Eh, that’s okay, buddy,” Lenny pops in. “College is great. You’ll have loads of fun. Especially since you’re living with us.” He waggles his brows suggestively—or, at least, that’s what it seems like, making me blush. He chuckles, shaking his head.
Kane leans forward and smacks Lenny across the arm. “Leave the poor kid alone, Len, for fucks sake.”
Lenny holds his hands up in a mocking gesture. “Sorry, sorry. So, anyway, do you want to go with us, Madison?”
I blink. “Go with you where?” Lenny leans back and shoots Collin a look where he’s seated in the reclining chair.
“To Mayhem Motel, loner boy. You know…” He rotates his hands in the air like that’s supposed to tell me something, but then his eyes dart to his laptop.
“Ohhh.” My face flames hotter.Jesus Christ, you’re daft, Madi.
“We’ve always wanted to go, and they finally fucking have tickets available,” Lenny exclaims. “So, we have to snatch them up before they’re sold out for the next six fucking months again.”
“Uh…”Shoot.How do I tell them I’m completely and utterly broke without sounding pathetic? “I don’t really have the extra—”
“I can buy yours for you—no big deal,” Kane offers without hesitation. He gives me a smile, which only increases my blush—and embarrassment.
“It’s gonna be so fucking creepy.” Collin cackles. “I’m gonna make Brianne come, too.” Everyone dips back to their phones, and the ball starts rolling at break-neck speed.
“How many are we getting? Mads, do you want me to get yours?” Kane asks.
“I’ve got two,” Collin blurts. Kane nods his head, thumb scrolling across his screen.
“Just…” Lenny sinks his teeth into his bottom lip as he clicks away on his laptop. “Got mine.” He looks up from his screen, eyes on me. Collin’s looking, too. So is Kane.
I glance around at all of them, hating the way my heart is hammering against my sternum, making my breath come out in short, obvious pants.Ugh,just the thought of that place makes me break out in hives, and now they want me to go.
“I don’t know, guys… It’s not really—”
“Oh, comeon!It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!”
“No, I know. I just—”
“Please…” Lenny resorts to puffing out his bottom lip. I wring my hands together in my lap, tugging on my fingers until my muscles ache with the strain.
How do I explain that the mere thought of this motel makes me want to cower under my blankets and never steal a peek at sunlight again?
I peer through my lashes, finding three sets of eyes on me all over again. Each one is heavy, making my skin crawl and roll under the pressurized sensation, like worms digging through dirt.
I moved here to make friends,I remind myself. A pathetic attempt to mentally steel my spine. This is supposed to be my fresh start. I may be in the same state, but I’m hours away from my hometown, from my not-exactly-abusive parents but close enough.
College is supposed to be the beginning of my new life. A way for me to get out from underneath the shell I’ve lived under for as long as I can remember. And what better way to do that than to go with my new roommates-slash-possible-friends to a horror attraction that might—okay, probably will—kill me?
“Fine,” I whisper in hopes no one will hear me, but they heard each hesitant decibel like their ears were straining for it.
“Yes!” Lenny screams and jumps to his feet. He knocks a knee against the coffee table on his way up, howling and clutching the bone with a pained grunt. We all chuckle and snicker as he bounces around with a flushed face and puffed-out cheeks.
“All right—got ours,” Kane says a minute later, pocketing his phone. The couch dips under the shift of movement, causing our shoulders to bump. “You look ecstatic,” he drawls. I can’t help my snort.
