CHAPTERNINE
Stella
By the time I roll over and open my eyes, the school day at Rosewood High has long started.
I lie there, staring up at the ceiling, listening to the nothingness around me. The only thing that would be better were if the windows were open and I could hear the ocean in the distance.
The dull throb I’m becoming used to radiates from my stomach, but I can’t deny that a night’s sleep away from the noise of a hospital—even if a bizarrely quiet one—has done me a world of good.
Finding my morning pills and a bottle of water beside the bed, I take them and then climb out, walking straight over to the windows.
I swear my entire body sighs with relief at the view.
I’m here. I’m safe.
The feeling is one of pure bliss, until another thought hits me.
What did Seb do when he discovered I’d left?
Reaching out, I rest my hand on the wall beside the window, really not wanting to acknowledge the pain that slices through my chest at the thought of him waking up from his makeshift bed to find me gone.
It’s what he deserves. He might not have been the one wielding the knife that afternoon, but he had a hand in it.
Had he been the one to organize it?
No. Surely not.
If he actually wanted me dead like he’d threatened in the past, he’d have done it himself.
I’ve seen him fight. He doesn’t hold back. He jumps right in the middle and ensures he gets the first punch in.
But even knowing all that, something isn’t sitting right with me.
My stomach grumbles, forcing me to move from my spot at the window, and I go about freshening up for the day.
As expected, the house is deserted, and the only thing I find to show that there was life here at some point this morning is a note on the kitchen counter.
Stella,
Help yourself to anything. Poppy will be home right after school and I’ll be back after practice.
Please rest.
Kisses,
H x
A smile pulls at my lips as I read Harley’s words. Next to the note is a set of house keys, telling me that I’m safely locked inside, and attached is her car key. When I look out the window, I find it sitting out there in case I need it.
I’ve no intention of going anywhere, but I appreciate that she knew I wouldn’t like being stuck. My plan is to do exactly what she’s suggested. Rest.
I make myself a quick breakfast and a coffee, grab a blanket from the box in the summer room, and take it out to the pool with me.
The sun is shining, but the heat from the summer I left behind has started to edge away.
Laying the blanket out on one of the loungers, I wrap myself up like a burrito and grab my bowl of fruit and granola.
The peace is incredible, but when I glance at the time on the cell phone I bought when I landed, I know that I needed to do something.