She lifts her head, eyes moving toward the window. I step back just in time, my reflection disappearing from the glass balcony door.
Nah, she is not a killer. Too clumsy to be one. Maybe I am, who knows?!
She is just someone who likes to pretend, just like all of us. We wear masks in front of people so they never learn who we really are. Too fucking afraid that if they see a little more, they will leave us behind.
I walk back into my bedroom.
My phone starts ringing.
As I move toward the bed, I see the name on the screen. It’s Ella.
Why the fuck is she calling me? She knows I can’t answer her.
I roll my eyes and collapse onto the bed, my thumb sliding across the screen as I text her.
I am up.
Up for what?
I exhale, staring at the screen.
Why do I always choose the not-so-bright ones?
You called, and I can’t fucking talk, so I texted you because that is all I can do. Duh.
Oh, shit, yeah. I am sorry.
I miss you, baby bear.
I tilt my head, blinking once, then twice. Like maybe if I blink hard enough, the nickname will disappear.
It does not.
Baby bear?
I type.
It is cute.
Since we are official, we should give each other nicknames.
Here we fucking go.
I don’t wanna be a dick, Ella, but we are just friends.
I text.
Friends don’t suck dicks.
She fires back.
Special friends do. ;)
You are such an asshole.
I read the message and exhale, sinking deeper into the mattress. My phone buzzes again, but I don’t move an inch. I hear footsteps, followed by a loud thud from the balcony.
I tilt my head.
