>
“Not interested.”
“Just…” she trails off, wetting her lips. That’s the first nervous gesture I’ve ever seen from her. “Tell me how Kim is doing.”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” From what Kim mentioned before, she used to be close friends with Silver, but they fell apart when they were pre-teens and since then, Silver turned into a tormentor instead of a friend. However, neither Elsa nor Kim witnessed the other facet of Silver. Besides, after Kim was discharged from the hospital, Silver showed up, apologised to her and left.
Since we met at the club, Silver has been asking me about Kim’s state regularly.
“She’ll just curse me,” she murmurs.
“That’s because you haven’t been there for her when she needed you the most.”
“I know that. Just tell me how she’s doing.” She swallows as if chasing away a horrendous image. “Is she coping?”
“Yeah. She’s doing better.”
Her lips pull in a smile, before she clears her throat. “Okay, thank you.”
“You can’t keep asking about her behind her back this way, Silver. You have to face her one day.”
“One day. Not today.” She pauses. “Don’t tell her I asked.”
“Whatever.”
She flips her hair. “And stay away from Cole.”
“You stay away from Ronan.”
We go our separate ways at the bathroom’s exit. She leaves the small coffee shop without sparing a glance at Elsa and Kim. Perhaps it’s because her parents are politicians, but from what I’ve seen, Silver is a master of disguising her emotions.
When I settle back at the table, two pairs of eyes almost dig holes in my face. I take a sip of my orange juice and meet Elsa and Kim’s incredulous gazes. “What?”
“What was that all about?” Elsa hisses. “Silver?”
“Yeah, Teal.” Kim huffs. “Why were you talking to Silver?”
Because of you. I lift a shoulder instead.
“She’s a bitch, Teal.” Elsa grips her hot chocolate tight.
“I can be a bitch, too.” I slurp from my juice.
“No, you’re not.” Kim rubs my arm. “You’re so cool. You’re just different.”
I suppress a smile. This is why Kim and Elsa are special – they don’t only see the façade but they take time to notice what’s behind it.
“Besides.” Elsa smiles in a sly way. “You’re with Ronan so he’ll eventually rub off on you.”
My heart does that tightening thing whenever his name is mentioned. I pretend the juice is my only focus. “He doesn’t matter.”
“You think I haven’t noticed the way you look at him when he’s not paying attention?” Elsa sighs. “It’s like you want to engrave yourself on his skin.”
“I do not.”
“Yeah, you do.” Kim pokes my shoulder. “He’s the same, you know. He looks at you like you’re the greatest and most fascinating riddle of all.”
He does?