Page 13 of Maddox
When tears fill my eyes, he reaches for my arm. Except, I don’t want his empty platitudes, and I brush past him, heading toward the front door.
I always thought I would have my friends if nothing else, but I guess now I know.
Nothing is the same and it never will be.
Chapter 3
Delaney
At school on Monday, I yawn through my classes and find myself nodding off during Advanced Civilizations to which my teacher gives me the stink eye.
Immune to anything but my fatigue, I sit up in the hopes of inspiring wakefulness and grab my bag when the bell rings.
Micah messaged me nonstop through Sunday and while I was tempted to end it right then and there, I knew it would be a shitty thing to do over text.
I’m halfway to the door and freedom, now that the day has ended when he calls behind me, “Delaney, hold up.”
I’m not in the mood to deal with his accusations but I pause by the door anyway because the longer I draw this out the more I’m subjecting myself to the torture.
All the while, I consider what my supposed friends said about me in that kitchen, immune to my circumstances and unwilling to just fucking ask.
Did Micah really tell them what happened that day? Is nothing sacred? Howcouldhe?
Micah skids to a stop beside me and his blue eyes flash as he says, “What’s going on? You skipped out the other night.”
I can already hear the insinuation and with a silent sigh, I say, “I didn’t feel like partying.”
He raises a thick blonde brow, and I flush. This is how it always starts.
He’ll question me until even, I don’t believe myself before launching into all the reasons why I can’t be trusted and can’t stay away from dick.
All this and then later when I’m pissed and hurt, he’ll come crawling back with excuses that sound suspiciously like deflections before the cycle begins again.
“You went home?” he asks.
“Yep,” I say and turn away before this can devolve into a full-on fight.
Of course, he grabs my arm, and I pause before the double doors that lead outside, gritting through my teeth, “Let me go, Micah.”
“I don’t think so. Mygirlfriendowes me an explanation,” he growls.
When I meet Draven’s stare across the lot, her lips pull into a smirk. Rolling my eyes, I wrench away from Micah and snarl, “I’m not your girlfriend.”
“What?” Micah says, stepping back. His eyes widen before they narrow. “What the fuck are you talking about, Delaney?”
Here it comes. I brace myself for the deluge when he opens his mouth, but I’m saved by Josh who approaches with a grin.
As soon as he taps Micah’s shoulder, I escape out the doors and push through the crowd.
I know he won’t be delayed for long though, which is why I step between two parked cars and crouch down, staring at the gravel poking my knees.
“Wow,” Draven drawls, stopping beside me.
Groaning, I rub my aching forehead and mutter, “Don’t say it.”
“What?”
“Whatever you’re thinking.”
