I’m about to head inside when I catch movement. A black car is parked across from the house right under the streetlamp. The windows are tinted so I can’t see inside.
The car has been there for the entire day before I went to school and after I returned.
An ominous feeling creeps down my spine. It’s like I’ve seen that car before.
Where?
I bolt the door and activate the alarm system.
The house feels so calm, eery and… cold.
I sit down for dinner, but I’m not really hungry. I eat anyway so Aunt won’t feel upset if she finds the boxes as she left them.
Have you thought that maybe you’re living your aunt and uncle’s lives, not yours? Kim’s words return and I shoo them away.
I need to eat, because unlike no one knows, my heart is acting up again. I know I should visit Dr Albert soon, but I need to participate in the track competition first.
The other time, Dr Albert mentioned another surgery. Not only will I kiss track running goodbye, but I might lose precious months that I should use to prepare for college.
I intend to live this year to the fullest, and then when it’s time for the surgery, I will have it.
While I’m eating, I play chess against myself, knocking the black king a few times.
See, I love playing chess. Kim was wrong, not all my interests are linked to Aunt and Uncle. Even if Uncle Jaxon first taught me chess.
After a few rounds, I push the board away and retrieve my phone to check the school’s website.
Then I recall it’s the weekend.
My finger hovers over Instagram. I don’t even pretend to scroll in the feeds, I go straight to Aiden’s profile.
He hasn’t posted anything after that picture of us kissing. It’s so unlike him considering that he posts at least once a day.
When I first saw the picture, I was too mortified to study it properly.
Now, I’m calmer.
Almost.
I zoom in and see how entangled we really are. The look of utter possessiveness and rogue claiming on his face. The look of abandonment on mine.
Some screw was loose at that time.
I scroll down to the comments. No girls gush all over him on this picture. Most are friendly teases from the football team.
Ronan wrote, You better be sorry for stealing my show that night, King.
I blush, remembering how he caught us.
My pulse spikes when I make out the last comment. It’s only minutes ago and it’s from Silver.
Side dish until the actual menu comes.
I stab my fork at the empty plate. What in the ever living hell is her problem? First, I’m a peasant then I’m a side dish?
And the bastard didn’t even delete her comment.
I hit home and throw the phone on the table. With a few calming breaths, I take my plates and do the dishes as calmly as I can manage, not bothering with the washer. I almost break the utensils.