“I’veseen some cool shit, yeah,” I replied with a nod. “But that doesn’t mean Ican’t appreciate this.”
“Well,”she wrapped her arm around my waist, “I’m glad I’m here. This past month hasbeen the wildest adventure of my life, and I’m just so grateful I get to shareit with you. It wouldn’t be the same otherwise.”
Myarm stretched over her shoulders and tightened. “Well, I can tell you, there’snobody else I’dwannabe here with.”
***
Idon’t know how long we were staring at that waterfall before heading back tothe bus. But by the time we got there, it was nearly seven and Sebastian wascooking eggplant parmesan and spaghetti.
“Smellsgood in here. I’mstarvin’,” Molly complimented,stepping into the bus and taking a deep inhale.
Tynarrowed his eyes at us from the couch, diverting his attention from the moviehe was watching with Greyson. “Why are you guys wet?”
“Whyareyouwatchin’chick flicks?” I teased, pointing atMustLove Dogson the TV before pulling my damp shirt off and tossing it at him.
“Becausethere’s nothing else on, dick.” He threw the shirt back and I caught it with alaugh. “And why aren’t you answering the question?”
Mollyannounced she was taking a shower then headed down to the bathroom. Once thedoor was closed and the water was running, Sebastian turned to me wielding aknife and I took a step backward.
“So,what’ve you crazy kids been up to today, huh? You went out hours ago and didn’tcome back until …” He checked his watch. “Dinnertime.”
Ieyed the knife warily. “Youwannaput that thingdown?”
“Oh,”he hastily laid the weapon on the counter, “my bad, dude.”
“Thanks,”I muttered, and then added, “We grabbed lunch and went for a run.”
“Oh,and you just happened to, what? Run right into a fucking waterfall?”
Icocked my head. “Yeah. That’sactually exactlywhat wedid. How didya—”
Tylifted his phone. “Tracked your ass.”
Snorting,I opened the fridge to find some water. “Y’allarecrazy.”
“Wewere getting worried,” he reasoned.
“Well,I appreciate that, butyacould’ve called.” I grabbeda couple bottles and closed the door. With the reminder of my phone, I pulledit out and debated whether I should call Ali now or wait a while. Maybe afterdinner. Maybe after I showered, maybe—
Iwas stalling. I was freaking out and avoiding whatever conversation she wantedto have. What if she wanted to break up now? Processing that possibility washard. God, it wassohard to envisionmy life without her there, even if she was hardly in it to begin with.
“Hey,you okay?” Sebastian asked, reaching out to tap his finger against one of mynipple piercings.
God,when were people going to stop asking me that? I pushed his hand away. “Knockit off, I’m fine. Just trying to decide if I should call Ali now or afterdinner.”
“Dinner’sgonnabe ready in just a few minutes, man. Do itafter.”
Witha sigh, I put the phone down.After.After was good.
***
In themiddle of dinner, I had to excuse myself from the table to use the bathroom.Walking down the hallway, I forced my composure, not wanting to worry any of myfriends, but behind the door, I clapped a hand over my mouth to keep fromcrying out from the pain.
Aheadache pounded relentlessly in my skull. Piercing my brain. Making me ache.I’d left my phone on the counter and wished I had it now, to Google this. Tofigure out what the hell was going on, what was making me sweat and shake,causing pain and aches and nausea to roll through me in agonizing waves,over and over again. I started to believe this was how I’ddie. This was it, and maybe that’d be okay, because then I’d feel nothing andeven nothing was better thanthis.
Yet,none of that was what worried me. None of that made me back up to the sink,biting my lips and shaking.
Therewas blood.
