Hunter sits down next to me, and the silence stretches around us.
“It’s hard to leave her alone,” I whisper. “I know Jade and Fallon are with her, but goddamn, it’s fucking hard.”
“They’ll take good care of her,” Hunter reminds me.
“I know.”
It doesn’t ease the pressure in my chest. Everything inside of me is screaming to run back to her.
“Fuck, Hunter, I just want to hold her and never let go.”
Hunter places his arm around my shoulders. “You know it’s not your fault, right?”
I let out an empty burst of laughter.
Ironic, isn’t it? It’s the same conversation I had with Mila.
But I should’ve protected her.
“It’s my fault she left the club,” I mutter, the pang of regret bitter on my tongue. I suck in a deep breath of air as my guilt turns into a fist, taking blows at my heart. “I heard her scream twice before I got to her.” I close my eyes against the painful memory. “I’ll never forget the sound.” I shake my head, trying to suppress the memory of Mila’s hopelessly hollow wail.
“I’m sorry,” Hunter says as he pulls me into a hug. “I’m so fucking sorry.” After a little while, Hunter continues, “Mila’s fierce. She’s a fighter. She’ll come back from this.”
I nod. “I know she will.”
“And so will you.”
I let out a burst of air as I pull away from him. “Yeah, we’ll find our way back.”
And then, I’ll love her like she’s never been loved before.
The thought makes me square my shoulders, and getting up, I say, “We should get our assess to class.”
Hunter rises to his feet, then exclaims, “Hold up.” He slaps his hand over his heart. “Was that your way of telling me I’ve just been downgraded to second place in your life?”
“Shut up.” I burst out laughing. “You downgraded me first, ass.”
“Ahh.” Hunter feigns hurt. “The blow.”
“Fuck off,” I grumble as I walk out of his room.
“Well,” he sighs, “I’ll just have to look on the bright side. At least I won’t have you farting in my bed anymore.”
“Yeah? You should’ve bottled that shit. I still think people would pay millions for a whiff of Eau de Jase.”MILABreathe, Mila. Just breathe.
“Finally, we get to eat,” Jade croons as we walk into the restaurant.
“Yeah, I’m starving,” I lie. I’ll have to stomach the food somehow.
I grab a chair that will have my back to the other tables, and it gives me a view of the expansive bay windows overlooking the stretch of lawn between the dorms and the lecture halls.
My gaze darts over the students as they cross the lawn. Most have their eyes trained on their phones. Some laugh.
It reminds me to smile.
My lips lift automatically. It’s one thing that’s becoming easier to fake.
“What are you having?” Jade asks.
“A salad,” I reply without looking at the menu. At least it will be a light meal.
My eyes land on Jessica and her friends as they walk toward the restaurant. Jessica’s gaze meets mine, and a hateful look crosses her features as she slowly shakes her head at me as if she can’t believe my audacity.
My eyes narrow on her until she’s out of view.
Bitch.
Kao and Noah join us at the table, and not having spoken to them much, I widen my smile. “Hey, how are you?”
“I’m great,” Kao answers from where he’s sitting next to Fallon. His eyes dart to her before he glances at me again. “How are you holding up?”
“Much better.”
Another lie.
A waiter comes to take our order, and after he leaves, Noah says, “You look much better.”
“Thanks.” I grin at my cousin.
“The Halloween Ball is coming up,” Fallon mentions. “Any volunteers to help with the decorations?”
“Hell no,” Jade instantly protests. “I saw how you suffered with the welcome ball. There’s no way I’m submitting myself to that kind of torture.”
Fallon turns her gaze to me, and I point to Jade. “What she said.”
“Hey, Mila,” Jessica suddenly pops up next to me. “I just wanted to tell you how absolutely horrified I was to hear what happened to you. I hope you feel better soon.”
I struggle not to glare at her and fail miserably. “That’s so sweet of you.”
Bless your fucking heart, bitch.
For a moment, Jessica smirks before she turns her attention to Kao and Noah. “Hey guys, looking good as always.”
Noah’s eyes are sharp on Jessica, where Kao doesn’t even bother to look up.
“Anyway,” she drags the words out. “Fallon, I’ll see you at the decorating committee meeting, right?”
Before Fallon can answer, Jade leans forward and says, “If you’re done sucking up and ruining my lunch, you’re welcome to leave. I’d like to salvage what I can of my remaining appetite.”
The fake smile drops from Jessica’s face, and she sucks in a deep breath. “Jade, it’s always such a pleasure.”
“Someone hold me back,” Jade growls, and I quickly reach over to her and place my hand on her arm.