Page 23 of Make Me Scream
ABEL
Doc:
You cheer for the game tonight, right?
My throat closesas I read Elise’s text, knowing in my gut what it’s about.
I type slowly.
Me:
Yeah.
I see the text bubble pop up immediately, which tells me she was waiting for my reply.
Doc:
I’ll come early. Can we find somewhere to talk before it starts?
My heart sinks.
Me:
Sure.
Doc:
It’ll be okay, honey. I’ll see you in a little bit. <3
“Yeah. It’s all fucking fantastic,” I mutter as I shove my phone back in my pocket. My legs shake restlessly on the gymnasium floor. The heel of my tattered Converse echoes, and my eyes follow the sound to the concrete brick wall, back behind the bleachers where Peris fucked me within an inch of my life?—
“Hey, Abel.”
Every muscle in my body tenses at the unexpected voice, but I don’t dare flinch—some habits die hard.
“Lance.” I nod and give him a small smile. I haven’t talked to him for a little while. I’m a shit friend and an even shitter person. Sue me.
“How have you been?” he asks, big eyes wide in genuine curiosity. My lips quirk in a small grin. I forgot how cute he was.
“I’ve been fine, buddy. How are you?” I arch a brow and lean back on the bleachers behind me, extending my arms and widening my stance. Lance’s eyes follow the lines of my body shrouded in my baggy clothes, which fall every which way on my lanky form.
When I catch him staring, he just flushes slightly, then shrugs. “Whatever. I’ve been good. Haven’t seen you around much. Finally caught you not fucking off.”
“Ahh,” I muse. “Got me in rare form today.”
“Seems so. Not breaking the law today, then?”
“Not yet,” I smirk, waving my brows. Lance rolls his eyes, smiling widely.
The doors push open, drawing our attention. A few groups of people walk in, heading our way. Some classes must’ve been dismissed early if they’re already coming in for the game to get good seats.
I have no idea who we’re playing against, but it seems basketball is always a pretty big deal for Ardent.
All I really give a shit about is wearing the cute ass cheer uniform and watching Peris get sweaty… and also watching Peris watchmein said uniform.
The three groups that walked in meander their way to different parts of the bleachers. Two of them are part of the “jocks”, the others the “nerds”, all lost in their own conversations, completely unaware they’re being observed by me.
“Got any plans for Thanksgiving break?” Lance asks, breaking me out of my people-watching trance.
