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Oliver James:

Sorry Eden. Can’t make it today.

My eyes begin to prickle. He doesn’t usually text so…directly? I swear to God Eden if you cry over a boy cancelling on you…

Eden Miller:

No stress! I’ll see you next time :)

I stare at my phone waiting for a response. Text bubbles pop up, and then disappear. Pop up, and disappear. Whatever he wants to say obviously isn’t important enough to send. The other class starts entering the lecture hall, so I find myself in the corridor. Watching. Waiting. And nothing comes. My stomach drops. I must have scared him off. I’m always too much. I open my texts and message Gemma, fighting back the tears that threaten to fall.

Eden:

Oliver just cancelled. You on for a study date?

Gem:

I’ll get the ice cream. <3

Eden:

Creamery?

Gem:

I’ll be there in 10

Autumn has crept across campus as I make my way towards the assortment of shops surrounding the lawn. Trees are just beginning to turn amber, and a chill passes through me every time the wind blows. The wind also explains why my face is so red. Not because I’ve been crying or anything. No. Not at all.

God this is so embarrassing.

Gemma spots me from across the lawn and immediately goes in for a hug. My eyes water (from the wind, again) as she rubs circles on my back.

“Hey, come on. I’ll pay for the ice cream this time. No need to cry about it,” Gemma shushes. I let out a watery laugh that sounds more like a sob. “What has he done to you?”

“I’m thinking the same thing.” Gemma hands me a tissue which I gratefully accept, blowing my nose loudly. “Look at me! I’m a mess! Crying because he cancelled on me.”

Gemma laughs, which helps loosen the knot in my stomach. “I must admit, I’ve never seen you like this. So…”

“Ridiculous?”

“That’s the word. Now let’s go get some ice cream.”

13

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Oliver.

Eden Miller:

No stress! I’ll see you next time :)

I stare at my phone screen, fingers anxious to type out another message. I want to tell her everything. To tell her what’s going on in my head. I want to… But I can’t. It’s not her burden to carry.

Dad and Jason are banging around downstairs. They’re not usually home this early, and that’s usually an indicator that shit’s about to go down. Better to cancel on Eden now than leave her waiting.

“Oliver?” Jason’s voice comes shouting up the stairs.