Page 7 of Come Back to Me

If I don’t make it back alive, I will haunt you for the rest of your life

Noah

You’re so dramatic, Vi

Vi.

The last time I heard that nickname was when it came out ofhismouth. I haven’t stopped thinking about that mouth, specifically the shape of his lips. His dark brunette hair and his deep brown eyes encapsulated me from the very moment we first met.

Snap out of it, Violet.

My heart rate quickens at the floodgate of memories that rush back to me.

Standing in front of the apartment door of the mysterious girl that Noah told me to go visit, I knock on it. Silence follows, and I fidget with my hands, almost debating on turning around and leaving. Then, the door opens with a horrible creaking sound that makes my eye twitch.

My eyes land on the young woman standing in front of me.

Dani Solomon.

She has wavy, dark brunette hair and dark brown eyes. She’s wearing a white tank top and jean shorts. Her light to medium skin contrasts nicely against her clothing. To top it all off, she’s completely barefoot. I mean, it makes sense considering she’s in her own apartment.

Dani stands there with her arms crossed, her eyebrows lowering. “Violet? What are you doing here?” Confusion is etched in her tone.

“Noah sentme.”

“Why did he send you here?” she asks kindly.

A young woman rushes over to us.

Bella Castillo-Ryder.

Her olive skin glistens from the sunlight peeking through the apartment windows. Dark brunette waves lay perfectly behind one shoulder and over the other. She’s wearing a creamy white pajama set with ruffles lining the bottom edges of the top and bottoms.

“Wow, Violet, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you,” Bella says.

“I know. It has been a while.”

“Come in.” Bella guides me into the apartment.

Dani and Bella’s apartment is cozy and cute. The kitchen is lined with white cabinetry. There’s a small bar area with tall, silver bar stools. A gray, plush sofa and a matching chair fill the living room space.

Bella plants herself on the chair, while Dani and I sit on the sofa.

Dani sits criss-cross applesauce, facing my direction. “I don’t know why Noah didn’t tell me he was sending you here.”

I shrug my shoulders. “I don’t understand why he’d send me here in the first place.”

Bella chimes in. “Oh, she doesn’t know about you two, which is odd to me since she’s been talking to Noah.”

I look at both of them. “What don’t I know?”

“Noah and I are dating,” Dani blurts out.

If I had water in my mouth right now, I would’ve spit it out.

I throw my hands up in the air. “What?”

“Yeah, that’s a valid reaction.” Bella raises her eyebrows.