"She wasn't feeling well," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "She went home to rest."
Leon frowns, his concern evident. "Is she okay?"
Asher's voice pulls my attention back to him. "I'll message her and check in," he said, his tone casual, but his eyes never leaving mine before he gets up, phone in hand and leaves the room.
My eyes track his movement before I look back at Leon.
"How was the movie?"
"It was good. It was nice to hang out again."
His brows furrow. "What do you mean?"
I shake my head, "I don't know, I feel like Charlottes been avoiding me for weeks. I've hardly seen her and when I do see her, it’s like she’s somewhere else.”
"You went to the movies today." he replies, sitting up straight, leaning forward on his knees.
"And we had fun, but then she just went quiet when she dropped me off and I don't know. Somethings not right."
Leon is silent for a moment. "You think she lied about being sick?"
I shrug and then shake my head. "I think she's upset with me."
Leon looks at me, his eyes serious, brow furrowed. "Why would she be upset with you?"
I purse my lips and shrug again, even as I know the reason. I just can't tell him because I'm lying to everyone I know and now I feel like I'm being suffocated by it. "I don't know."
"You and Charlotte have been friends forever, whatever is happening will sort itself out and you'll be back to annoying the living hell out of me." He smiles softly.
I smile, though it feels forced. "Yeah, we are."
He nods, taking a sip of his beer and lifting a hand to rub the back of his neck. "You and Charlie don't keep anything from each other, do you?"
I blink.
My throat aches. "No."
He nods and swallows before standing from the couch. "So, she'll tell you when she's ready."
I feel a lump in my throat. "Thanks, Leon."
He reaches out and ruffles my hair, a rare gesture of affection. "Get some sleep, Ivy. You look like the dead."
"Piss off." I mutter but move up the stairs as he moves to the kitchen, where I can hear the low timbre of Asher's voice.
Chapter 26
Twenty-six; Explore their body. Run your finger up their side, over their back, search and learn everything about their body.
Ivy
There's a slight knock at my door and I pause, hands playing with my phone, hair still slightly wet from where it got hit with the shower spray.
I debate if I even want to open it, if I even want to see the person on the other side.
If it is Leon, I don't really feel like speaking right now and if its who I think it is. Then that's worse.
The knock comes again, lighter this time and I breathe out a sigh, moving towards the door and pulling it open, filling the space it makes with my body so the person can't come in.
