Page 12 of Lessons in Falling
It’s fine, really.I gave a weak smile.Sometimes we think keeping something to ourselves is the better option, right?I tried to test the waters, and wasn’t surprised when I got scalded with her next words.
Nah,Iris snickered, then nudged my shoulder in amusement.It was stupid.You tell me everything, I tell you everything.That’s how it’s supposed to be.
Fuck.Was someone giving her a script of exactly what to say to make me feel worse?If they were, it was working.
I faked another laugh, and something finally snapped.Speaking of—Telling each other everything, I wanted to say.I might’ve omitted a small detail about Caden and me.We aren’t just sharing a room, but had shared drinks, then personal space, then saliva.
I’d been this close to laying it all on the table, but Alfie ruined it.Because just five feet away from us, he barfed into a trash can.
Which made Iris beside me squeal in disgust, then gag.Dude!she cried.
It kind of ruined the moment.Another time, then.I’d tell her, just not now.
Sorry, sorry.I’m fine,Alfie waved it off, but looked the opposite.Just need—His hand came up to his mouth.Ice cream.To cleanse my palate.
At this point, Alfie throwing up on the way here was a common enough occurrence not to fuss over it more than Iris’ squeal had.Usually, it just happened way earlier.Not on the boardwalk, busy with people who’d decided to keep a safe distance from us now, sidestepping with worried glances.
I sighed.You guys go ahead, I’ll meet you at Charlie’s.Alfie’s face had almost gone back to its normal color.For ice-cream,I emphasized.And to get my guilty conscience back under control.
Caden hadn’t said much in the past fifteen minutes, probably lost in thought; maybe wondering what he’d done to me (nothing) and when I’d turned into such an asshole (out of necessity, I’m sorry!), and he hadn’t once looked back.Not for Anni’s and Alfie’s arguing, not when Iris had complained, or when Alfie had thrown up.Now, though, his eyes flicked to mine, and something inside of me reacted.Bad sign.
Before he could say anything, Iris, having overcome her own nausea, guessed,Boardwalk Books?
And I nodded.
The white color of the inconspicuous little bookstore by the water had become so worn over time, only flecks of it were left, leaving the wooden building looking tattered.Some (me) would call it charming.
And while my degree had kept me busy during the semester, these two months on Oakport were the only time I could catch up on my books for the year.Ninety percent of my reading happened here, with books from this exact shop.
On good days, the owner, Anthony, would lend me some, if I promised not to break the spine and bring them back.Other times, copies I’d swooned over all week magically appeared onmy desk the next day, and Alfie always swore he had nothing to do with it.Shame he’s an awful liar.
I’d love to,Iris winced before she even said the next words.But I really need to sit down.Just thinking about the stuffy air in there—She cut herself off with another gag.Alfie nodded vehemently.
Iris,I snickered.I will survive a bookstore by myself.Like I said, you guys go ahead.
That way, at least I didn’t have to worry about how much time I’d spend reading blurbs, admiring covers and getting lost in first chapters.A win-win situation in my book.
Just not in my friends’.
Iris snorted, as if the suggestion in itself had been ridiculous.Alfie, almost fully recovered, carefully shook his head like I should’ve known better.And Anni, the only one who understood where I was coming from, simply shrugged.She knew there’d be nothing I could do about what would happen, and her look told me to just give up now.
My suggestion wasn’t dignified with a response; instead Iris asked,Who here is still either drunk or hungover?Her own, Alfie’s and Anni’s hands shot up.And who here will die if they are separated from Annika?Which was when Mike’s hand went up, too, a sheepish smile on his lips.Iris cleared her throat.Settled, then.Caden’s staying with Valentina.Do you read, Caden?
My gaze shot in his direction, and I slowly, gently shook my head.To signal,no, you don’t read.In fact, you have deep-rooted issues keeping you from ever entering a bookstore again.
His smile was so big, I’m sure it was meant to piss me off.Love it.
Unfortunately, I still had to match it when every single pair of eyes shifted back to me.No, really.He doesn’t have to.I looked back at him, emphasizing:You don’t have to.
No, no, no!Iris intervened, knowing grimace on her face.Don’t fall victim to Valentina’s puppy eyes.She’ll look at you, round eyes all sad, and suddenly you’re prone to do whatever she wants.Don’t fall for it, Caden.
Intrigue and amusement glimmered in his gaze.He wasn’t even looking at my best friend when he said, eyes still locked with mine,I’ll try my best.
It’s all anyone can do with this one,Alfie noted.
I tried to reason,I don’t know what you guys are talking about—but didn’t get very far.All four of them started walking backward, keeping their eyes on us to make sure Caden and I wouldn’t separate.But seeing their proud, mischievous smiles, I could only sigh.In defeat and amusement and annoyance.
I loved these guys so much, even when they left me with the one person I shouldn’t—anddidn’t want to—be left behind with, I couldn’t be mad at them.
