Page 12 of Those That Don't Exist
“Oh my gods, yes!” Bree drops her pizza back onto the plate before licking her fingers. “This is epic, we need to start planning right now.”
“Yeah that's great Claire.” I genuinely smile. Hallow’s Eve was my favourite holiday. It’s the night the vail fell a millenia ago and the Fae entered our world. Some purer blooded Fae still do the ritualistic celebrations but mostly people use it as an excuse to dress up and party.
Claire’s parents’ house is right here in the city, and large enough for us to host a proper party. It's only a ten minute walk from campus, just across the river.
Her parents were the loveliest couple, and had been friends with my parents. I’d spent some holidays and events with them and my dad growing up. Whilst not blood relatives, they were the closest thing I had to an aunt and uncle.
They’d also been kind enough to let me stay at their house after I got released from the hospital. They’d helped me with all the legal stuff following my dad’s death like renting out the home I didn’t want to sell, along with the shop my dad owned and ran.
“I have to allow David to invite some of his medic friends,” Claire tells us. “But we will still have enough room for loads of people. They said we can decorate and hire a DJ too.”
David is Claire’s older brother. He’s a couple years older and in med school, following his father into the profession. Bree and I had great fun ribbing Claire over how hot he was. Whilst I had grown up with the guy he wasn’t technically my relation, I could appreciate his cute looks. He was also the nicest person you’d ever meet.
“That’s cool, I really don't see how adding a bunch of hot doctors is a negative.” Bree flashes a chagrin smile, knowing how it’ll wind Claire up.
“They’re not doctors yet,” Claire admonishes, giving Bree a playful shove.
“No but they will be. I will need a killer outfit.” Bree replies, righting herself and picking up her pizza again.
I pick at my slice, ripping the crust off and taking small bites, it's like chewing cardboard. I’m working up to ingesting the cheese.
“We should go shopping, I could use a new outfit too,” I suggest.
“Yes, definitely,” Claire says, mouth full of her favourite mushroom pizza. “Are you both free next weekend?” She pulls out her phone to open her calendar.
We agree on the date, then start talking about ideas for costumes. I play around with my single slice, making it last the whole evening whilst the other two devour an incredible amount of the four pizzas in front of us. It feels good to be having a normal night, a night where I can forget everything thathappened last summer. I’m just me. As the conversation shifts to the guest list, I can’t help wondering if I should invite the hot guy I keep spotting around campus. Assuming I’d see him again in the next couple of weeks.
At the gym last week He was looking all sorts of delicious in his workout gear. Even in long sleeves I noted his arms flexing as he shifted his body on that damn rowing machine. I swear he laughed when I failed to land a particularly hard kick. The way his eyes had widened, his blue irises flashing in shock, when I’d shot him a look, confirmed it.
Then he’d bailed out of there quicker than a thief fleeing a crime scene.
I’d been back to the gym at the same time for the following three days, hoping late afternoon was his usual time to workout. After facing disappointment each time, and getting annoyed with the number of people in the gym at that time, I reverted back to my usual time slots. If he wasn’t going to be there I wasn’t putting up with working out with half the student body. Or looking that desperate.
“Hey, earth to Rory!” Bree’s hand is waving in my face.
“Oh, sorry.” I snap out of the thoughts of the tall, dark and mysterious stranger.
“Are you ok?” Claire asks.
“Yeah, I’m good.” I give her a weak smile. My friends exchange a look, setting me on edge.
“Listen, I don’t want to pressure you but you’ve barely eaten any of this tonight,” Claire says, gesturing at the food between us.
“What do you mean?” I fake nonchalance, feeling my defenses rising. “I’ve had some pizza. I’ve just been to the gym, so I’m not feeling hungry.”
“You’ve been working out every evening since you got back, that’s more than you used to,” Bree adds.
“Well, I got into it during my physio. It helps my injuries,” I say with more venom than I intended. My hand goes to my ring, spinning it around my thumb, it’s becoming a bit loose now.
“Ok, ok,” she relents, putting her palms up in a surrendering gesture. “We can take the leftovers home for you later.”
“I’m not hungry.” I hear the petulance in my own voice.
“We’re just a little worried. You don’t eat much and you’re working out a lot. Are you sure you’re ok?” Claire presses.
“Don’t I look fine?” I was exasperated now. I knew they’d notice at some point but I’d just got back to being normal.
Claire blows out a long breath. “Yes, you do. I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at us, we’re here if you need to talk, ok?”
