I can't deal with him right now.
After pacing around my room for a bit, I make a decision.
If I stay here, trapped in this house, waiting for Leon or one of his friends to show up, I'll go insane. So, I pack up my things, grab my laptop, and head to the town library. It's quieter than campus, a little further away, and it feels like the one place where I might be able to clear my head without running into anyone I know. No distractions, no Asher. Just peace.
• • •
The town library is quiet. Almost empty. It smells like old paper and dust and something faintly floral.
Safe.
I tuck myself into a table in the far corner, open my laptop, and pretend to study.
Study lasts five minutes.
My eyes keep drifting to the door.
He won't come here.
He doesn't even know I'm here.
I shake my head and force my gaze back onto my computer but instead my mind wanders.
I think about the other day, how everything seemed to spiral out of control so quickly.
About the way he'd talked about Harlowe. The casual "maybe."
The way it made me feel like a placeholder until somethingeasiercame along.
I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't notice someone approaching until I hear his voice.
"Ivy."
My heart stumbles. No. Not here.
I look up, and of course, there he is. Asher.
He stands in front of my table, jaw tight, hands shoved into his pockets like he's holding himself back from something. "You didn't show up."
I swallow, trying to keep my voice steady. "I texted you." I look around the library. "How did you-"
"You always come to the town library when you need a break." He steps closer, close enough I can smell his aftershave. "You've been avoiding me for days, Ivy. I'm not stupid."
My throat tightens. I close my laptop. "I just needed some space. I-"
"Space from what?" His voice lowers, tone quiet. "From me?"
I stand up, pushing my chair back with a soft scrape. "Can we not do this here?"
Without waiting for a response, I walk away from the table, weaving through the rows of bookshelves. I don't know where I'm going - just away.
Away from him, away from the confrontation I know is coming. But Asher doesn't let me go. I hear his footsteps behind me, following closely as I head deeper into the stacks.
We stop between two tall shelves at the back of the library. Hidden. Close enough that I can feel the warmth of him without touching him.
"What's going on?"
My heart is racing, and I know I can't keep running from this. From him.
