“I’m not sure if my eyes are messing with me, but it kind of looks like the one you have on your ankle. The stars…” she trails off, looking at me with wide eyes. “Oh shit, Kami.”
“What, what is it?” Levi looks over his shoulder subtly. Em doesn’t stop him this time.
My heart sinks, my mouth dries up, and I simply freeze.
This can’t be happening.
“Kami, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Jake’s voice is faint because of the rapid heartbeat in my ears.
“Kami.” Em grabs my hand, but I hardly feel it. My entire body feels numb. I barely retain her next words either. “Is it him?”
“Is it who? Can someone please tell me what’s happening?” Levi whispers.
“Not now, Levi,” Em says through gritted teeth.
He lets out a frustrated sigh, and his fingers tap over the table next to mine. That snaps me out of my haze, and adrenaline fills my veins.
“I need to see his face to tell if it’s him or not, but I can’t let him see me,” I direct at Em.
“Well, the timing is perfect because he’s headed towards the back of the restaurant.”
Shit.
“You should be able to see his side profile, and I don’t think he’ll be able to see you with Levi in the way.”
I shift my head the tiniest bit to the left and see the familiar face and frame of the boy I used to know. He’s taller, dressed differently, his walk is smoother, he even has a sharper look in his eyes, but it’s him. Everything around me slows down once he steps closer to the table. I hold my breath, hoping he won’t see me, and once he disappears past us into the bathroom, I know I’m safe. For now. My attention goes back to my roommate.
“It is him, and we have to go now.”
She nods once. “Jake, take care of the bill. We’ll meet you at your car.” Em takes my hand before Jake can respond and we run out the door. I don’t look back to double-check if it was him. I run, just like I did two years ago.
“Isanybody going to tell me what that was back there?” Levi asks from the passenger seat of the car.
I don’t make eye contact with anyone and continue looking out the window. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Just let it go for tonight, Levi. For Kami.”
He blows out a loud breath. “Fine for Kami.”
Em gives my hand a small squeeze. Turning, I smile, butit doesn’t reach my eyes. I quickly wave my gaze back at the trees passing us by while my heart rate reaches a steady pace.
“Where do you guys want to head to then? Maybe the fields or the lookout point?” Jake waits for my response, looking at me through the rear-view mirror. His smile is soft, accompanied by concerned eyes.
“Not tonight. Can you just drop us off at Astor, please?”
“Sure thing,” Jake says with ease and takes a left turn back to campus.
Levi’s head turns to the back seats with a worried expression on his face. I look away before he asks more questions. He’s always been protective of me, and I know he means well, but I’m drained and confused.
What was he doing at the diner? Why is he in Driscoll at all? Last I heard, he was in community college. Maybe my mom knows something and hasn’t told me. Talking to Ana about him would only upset her, and I’m pretty sure she would’ve mentioned something this important.
The guys finally drop us off, and they head to their own places. Levi lives off-campus, where the rent is cheap, and the roommates are weird. Meanwhile, Jake has a room to himself in a dorm hall. He had the option of getting his own place off campus, a very nice place, in fact, but he wanted to get the whole college experience.
Em and I enter our suite. I lean against the couch, collecting myself.
“You okay?” she asks carefully.
“Yeah,” I lie. “I’m a little surprised. It’s not that big of a deal, I’m just wondering what the hell he’s doing here.” Deep in thought, I tell her my plan. “I’m going to give my mom a quick call and see if she knows anything. His mom’s friends are still taking her Zumba classes.”
