Diamond
Today sucked.
I’ve had my share of bad days in the past year, but none of them even come close to this one. I woke up this morning and immediately checked my phone for a message from Finn.
There was nothing.
No “I’m sorry I ran out like that.”
No “I’ll explain everything.”
Nada.
He walked out right as we were in the process of getting back together, which ranks pretty high on the “dick move” scale, but I’m not nearly as angry with him as I am concerned. The look on his face when he took the call suggests he had a good reason for bailing. I just wish I knew what that reason was.
I spent twenty minutes moping in bed before I remembered I had other things to do than wait around for a boy to give me a sign of life. I dragged myself out of bed and into the shower, promising myself I wouldn’t spend the day obsessing over him.
News flash: I was full of shit.
I went to work as usual and walked a few dogs. Then I had classes all afternoon. I sat down at a desk and watched my professors drone on and on without ever truly listening and checked my phone so often I’m surprised it didn’t die on me.
It’s past six by the time I get back to the apartment. I realize the door isn’t locked when I attempt to use my key. Aveena and Xavier must be home. Hope creeps into my chest at the possibility of seeing Finn when I walk through the door. I push the door to the apartment open and step foot inside.
I don’t see anyone at first.
But then I turn the corner and spot the last person I ever expected to see sitting on the couch with Xavier. His head snaps up, and he cracks a polite smile I’m careful not to return.
I blink at him. “What the…”
Aveena enters the room a second later, immediately sensing my confusion and walking over to me. “Dia, hey. Come to the kitchen with me, will you?”
I give a nod, and Aveena grabs my arm, leading me to the other room. We’ve barely taken a step into the kitchen before I blurt, “What the hell is Brody doing here?”
I haven’t seen Finn’s brother since before the accident. I remember it so clearly. He and Finn were arguing in the kitchen, and Brody was telling him he was making a mistake by sleeping with the help, AKA me.
My outburst makes Aveena cringe, and she gestures to keep it down, lowering her voice. “It’s about Finn.”
Fear grips me.
“What about Finn?”
“He’s… sort of missing.”
“He’s what?” I erupt.
“Don’t worry, he’s fine. At least, we think he is. It’s just that no one can find him. He ran away after they told him the news,” she says like I’m supposed to understand what the hell that means.
“What news?”
Her features twist with shock. “You… You don’t know?”
“Know what?” I snap, my patience wearing thin.
Aveena chews on her bottom lip, and I feel the need to brace myself for impact, gripping the back of one of the kitchen chairs.
“They found his mother.”
I stop breathing, my lungs bailing on me.