Page 4

“Jesus Christ, Brooks.” Wylder shakes his head. “Can’t you just walk away for once in your life?”

“Nope.” Brooks steps back but not far and then stares at me with a challenge in his eyes.

I could dig my mace out of my pocket, and answer his challenge. Part of me wants to. But part of my sanity is returning to me. Let me stress the part, though.

“Can one of you please be the bigger person and walk away?” Wylder practically begs, his gaze flicking from me to Brooks.

Brooks slowly shakes his head.

While I really want to grab my bottle of mace and spray it all over his face, I decide to back off, reminding myself that I am better than this.

Am I, though?

I didn’t save her that night.

“Whatever.” I move back and start to turn around. “Come on Zay…” I trail off as I realize Zayla is no longer behind me.

What the hell?

Brooks makes some comment about me, but I barely register what his words are as I frantically look around the kitchen for Zayla. Where did she go? And when did she take off? I only step in on her behalf so why would she just leave?

I walk out of the kitchen while retrieving my phone out of my pocket. Then I dial Zayla’s number. It rings a handful of times before going to voicemail. I wrestle back the panic trying to claw through my body.

This isn’t the same as with Zoe. This isn’t. She’s probably just outside, and is on the phone with Ollie. That has to be it.

That’s what I repeatedly tell myself as I push my way through the throng of people and out the front door.

It’s earlier November and while Fairfield isn’t a winter wonderland or anything like that, the temperature can get a bit breezy, especially at night. The air is crisp and causes goosebumps to sprout across my arms.

“I really should’ve worn a jacket,” I mutter as I shut the door.

A couple is making out on the front porch, so I trot down the stairs and hike across the grass toward the sidewalk where the noise of the party has faded. Lamppost lights up the street that’s lined with two-story houses similar to the one I just came out of. The moon is full too and so the area is fairly lit up, even for it being in the middle of the night. That should give me a bit of comfort, but it doesn’t—I hate being out alone at night.

Once I reach the sidewalk, I come to a stop and dial Zayla’s number. I don’t wander that far away from the house, pacing in front of it while waiting for her to answer. But it goes to her voicemail again, so I send her a text.

Me: Where are you?

I wait for a few minutes for her to reply, but she doesn’t. I could leave and hope she makes it home okay, since I didn’t even want to come to this party. Back in high school, I used to have a lot of friends who would do that to each other, leave their friends behind at parties, but I always thought it was so messed up. I don’t want to do that now.

Can’t.

Exhaling, I spin back around and endeavor back inside the house. The party is in full force and people have started dancing in the living room, making it a pain in the ass to get across the room.

After several bumps and bangs into people, I manage to make it through, and shove my way into the room where the beer pong table is still tipped over. I spot Ellie in the corner with her friend and Wylder. Even though I have zero desire to see him again, I make my way over to him.

“Hey! You’re back!” Ellie has a drink in her hand and a smile on her face. “I thought I saw you leave like ten minutes ago.”

“I did.” I can feel Wylder’s eyes on me, but I don’t glance at him. “I can’t find my friend, though. The one that I walked into the kitchen with earlier.”

“Oh right, her name’s Zayla, right?” she asks and I nod. She offers me an apologetic look. “I haven’t seen her since you guys walked into the kitchen. Sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s not your fault she wandered off.” I check my phone to see if she’s responded to my message, but she hasn’t. “If you see her can you tell her to call me?”

Ellis nods. “Of course.”

I wave goodbye then head off toward the kitchen. Brooks is still in there, standing by a keg in the corner of the room. He doesn’t notice me, and I’m relieved since I’m exhausted from the drama of tonight.

I didn’t even want to come out. What I wanted was a peaceful night of studying, which might make me sound lame, but this is why I am lame. Because things like what happened with Brooks occur at parties all the damn time.