I should be used to this by now. Everyone leaves, eventually. Because they have better things to do than watch Haven Lee self-destruct, or because Imakethem leave.
My fingers twitch around the pendant.
Everyone leaves.
Everyone except?—
My eyes drift to my tote bag, still slumped against the sofa.
I shouldn’t.
IknowI shouldn’t like I know the sun rises in the east because that’s what Kai taught me, and that my best friend will never forgive me for the mommy comment, and I’m going to fail my midterms and end up back in Ashwood Crossing—or, evenworse,Riverside—with nothing to show for everything it cost me to get here.
But I’m crawling toward the bag even as that knowledge burns, not even registering the sting as my knees crunch over broken glass.
I dig through the tote with shaking fingers until I find the phone in its bubble wrap cocoon, and I turn it on with hands that won’t stop trembling.
The lock screen glows to life—Lookout Point at sunset, golden and peaceful and so fucking mocking I want to throw this phone too.
I don’t.
I open VibeFeed, heart hammering in my throat, and go straight to Bastian’s DMs.
Unlike me, he hasn’t deleted his messages.
@inherentvice
He can’t give you what you need.
Not like I can.
@inherentvice
He thinks he’s saving you. And you’re too busy pretending to be a good girl to correct him, aren’t you?
How long can you keep up the act, sweet girl?
@inherentvice
I’ve been patient.
But even I have limits.
@bssweetgirl
message deleted
@inherentvice
I saw that.
I can’t decide if that last message is a taunt or a threat. I can’t decide ifhe’sa taunt or a threat. But right now, surrounded by shattered glass and the taste of Kai still on my tongue, I don’t fucking care.
I need someone.
Anyone.
Even him.
