I had to shut my eyes.
“Just make sure you don’t stop breathing. That will keep you from passing out on us. Did you eat breakfast?”
“Donuts,” I mumbled.
“Sugar is good, but you might want to get some protein after this.”
“I’ll take her for a sandwich or a burger,” Beckett said.
“Perfect.” Caleb paused for a moment. “All right. You’ll feel a pinch and then a little sting as I insert the earring. Ready?”
“Ready.” My voice shook a little as I spoke, and Beckett gripped my hand harder.
“One, two, three.” On three, I felt a pinch and burn, but it was hardly anything at all. The sensation of the needle through flesh made my stomach pitch, but it didn’t last for longer than a moment.
Beckett squeezed my hand in a rhythmic pattern. “Keep breathing, Addie.”
“Ear one is done. You’re killing it, Addie.”
Caleb and Beckett switched sides, but I kept my eyes closed. The last thing I wanted was to see a bloody needle and toss my cookies.
“Ready for ear two?” Caleb asked.
“Ready.” My voice was stronger this time, and I didn’t have a death grip on Beckett’s hand.
“One, two, three.” The process repeated, and it hurt even less than the first. “You’re done. Open your eyes.”
I blinked a few times, letting my vision adjust to the light. Beckett stood, looking down at me, concern lacing his features. “You feel okay?”
“It wasn’t bad at all.”
“I’m taking that as high praise,” Caleb said.
“You should.” I made myself meet his gaze. “Thank you for easing me through it.”
He sent me a wink. “Anytime.” He inclined his head towards the mirror. “What do you think?”
I stood, my legs a little shaky, and moved to the mirror. The little circles of blue glass caught the light, making them glow. The color seemed to make my eyes a bit greener, too. I looked like me…but different. Maybe a little more the me I always should’ve been.
I stared at the reflection. “They’re perfect.”
20
BECKETT
Addie gazed out at the horizon as she sipped her soda. “This is such a beautiful spot.”
“It’s one of my favorites.” It was the first time I’d been to the overlook since I’d returned, yet my gaze kept drifting back to the woman sitting next to me at the picnic table. Her golden-blonde hair was swept away from her face, her eyes shining. The earrings in her lobes caught the light—a symbol of her newfound freedom.
Her lips twitched. “I’m sure it’s a teenage make-out spot, too.”
I chuckled. “It might be.”
Addie glanced over at me. “I bet you were quite the ladies’ man in high school.”
“I wasn’t hurting for dates. I’ll leave it at that.”
Addie’s gaze drifted away to the valley below us. “I wish I could know what that feels like.”