Page 45 of Ominous: Part 1
Amanda:Mom said you met a boy. Tell me.
Me: Our moms are still gossiping about us?
Amanda: Shut up and send me a photo.
I smile, my cheeks hurting, but I don’t have a photo and I don’t think I’d want to send one anyway. Like I want to keep Eli a secret, for a few reasons. I don’t think Manda judges me for what happened, but then again…how could she not?
I glance at Sebastian, smoking a cigarette by the window in my room. He’s typing on his phone too, and I think he’s on something, the way his pupils are pinpricks and he’s in such a good mood. He’s been cracking jokes since I got home from my shift at work today. Reece and Mom didn’t notice or turned a blind eye to the fact he’s high. They just like when he’s in a good mood.
I tell Manda I’ll send her a photo as soon as I have one, then I flip onto my side in my bed, reading a book on my phone. A modern-day retelling of Hades and Persephone. Only the blue lava lamp I’ve had since I was a kid gives me and Seb any light.
“School went okay this week?”
Lowering the phone, I meet my brother’s gaze as he turns to blow smoke from the window. I think of Ms. Romano giving me extra readings after class. Telling me she’d write a recommendation if I need one and continue to do well in Latin. She knows one of the chairs in the Classics department at Bloor.
It’s like the goal is attainable. Not just a pipe dream.
“Yeah, really good, actually.”
Sebastian smirks. “Is it because of that boy you watched roll around with sweaty dudes all day yesterday?”
I roll my eyes. “Those jokes from you and Reece are old. Get out of my room if you want to talk shit.”
He pulls from the cigarette, exhales and huffs a laugh. “Chill.”
My phone buzzes in my hand and I look down and open the message.
Eli: I miss you.
I think my heart skips a beat. A smile pulls at my mouth.
Me: Yeah?
“Eli, right?”
I dart my gaze to Seb. “How do you know that?” I guess my family has been talking about me behind my back.
He gestures toward the poster on my wall of Artemis, in black and white, it’s laminated. A gift from him earlier this month for my birthday, alongside the Fallen Angel painting Mom gave me a couple of years ago. Not Greek, and yet one of my favorite pieces of art.
I know it’s the former Sebastian is pointing to, though. Especially as he says, “Goddess of the hunt. You’re not prey, Eden.”
Something like guilt lodges in my stomach as my phone vibrates in my hand, but Sebastian is still staring like he has more to say.
“Just slow down. Take it easy, all right? You’re so close to your dream school.” He turns from me, leans over and lifts up my window screen to throw out his cigarette before he drops it again. He’s still staring at the woods when he keeps talking. “Don’t stay here for anything.”
I open my mouth with a comeback. Something about him doing exactly that, spiraling through this path I can’t even see down. But he looks at me as he stands from his squatting position, and asks, “What’s his last name?”
I arch a brow, surprised. “Why do you need to know?” I snap back.
“He’s taking my sister home and making her watch himwrestleall damn day—”
“He did notmake me!”I keep my voice down so our parents don’t hear, but I don’t lose the edge in my words. “Just get the hell out of my room.”
Seb softens his tone and asks again, “What’s his last name, E? Is it Addison?”
My pulse jumps and I know he can read the surprise on my face.
He rubs his thumb over his chin as he shakes his head. “Yeah. He knew the missing girl. Winslet?” He drops his hand. “Rumor is they fucked around.”
