I threw a fluffy pillow at her, then picked it up after she dodged it and let it fall to the floor.
She just danced excitedly, made me put on her favorite lipstick, and did some provocative gesturing, but she didn’t make a sound so she wouldn’t wake Glyn up.
Earlier tonight, we were at the pub with everyone else, including Glyn, Anni, and Creigh. Because, of course, Ava completely forgot about last night's epic hangover and chose to have fun again.
Creigh sort of dragged Anni out of the circle soon after we got there, and Remi spent the rest of the night being dramatic about how he lost his spawn and how fast children grow up.
I think he really believes himself to be his father sometimes.
Me, on the other hand? I was bubbling with energy, counting the hours until I could come here.
I have no idea when this place started to grow so close to my heart, but it’s managed to snag a place.
As I park the car in front of the house, I pause when I find no trace of Jeremy’s bike.
I look at my smartwatch, and it’s about one in the morning—the time we normally meet.
Jeremy is usually here first, but I did come a little early tonight.
Trying not to feel dejected, I grab the bag of groceries and cleaning supplies I brought with me, then step into the house.
I light the fireplace and cook some soup and casserole. While waiting, I do some cleaning.
Not that the place is dirty, but it could glow up a bit more. It has its charm with its cozy furniture and intimate structure, but you have to look past the gothic feeling first.
After the food is ready, I cover it so it stays warm, then I go upstairs for a shower.
Fifteen minutes later, I step out dressed in a bathrobe while drying my hair. My phone vibrates once on the side table and I basically jog over to check the text.
The name Jeremy doesn’t appear on my screen, and I hate how my chest deflates.
It’s about three in the morning, and there’s still no sign of him or even a text.
Instead, it’s my best friend, who should be sleeping by now.
So should you.
Ava:Sooo I know you’re probably busy, but I just learned something weird. Like super weird. Remember the guys from last night? The ones Jeremy pummeled to the ground for coming near you?
I sit on the bed and type.
Cecily:What about them?
Ava:Snap! Why are you here?
Cecily:What about you, then? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?
Ava:I was practicing. Anyway, back to the topic. My gossip antennas let me know that two TKU students were admitted to A&E today. One of whom is in the ICU. Guess who? They’re Larry and Steven! The latter is in the ICU.
A shiver snakes beneath my skin and I swallow thickly. There’s no way this is just some coincidence or an arbitrary incident.
Larry and Steven approached me and ended up in the hospital.
Steven touched me and said that weird sentence that threw me off, and he’s in the ICU.
Ava:AND, you know what the strangest part is? Their friend, Donovan? The guy who was with me at the bar. He completely disappeared. That’s just next-level scary.
I grip the phone tighter, my fingers unsteady as I reply.