Page 45 of The Monster I Am
The door swings open before I even have a chance to reach it, and for a brief moment, I enter survival mode, nearly smacking Soph with the comfort pillow I carry out from the bedroom.
“Girl, what!?” She yells, and I’m not sure if she’s referring to my attack or our phone call.
“Fuck me. I left the door unlocked.”
Great—I officially have the survival skills of a wet fart. I wouldnothold up well in a horror movie.
Soph makes a big gesture of locking it, swishing her arms toward the door like she’s presenting the next showcase onThe Price is Right.
“I have half a block of cheese and a bag of old Easter eggs.” She digs into her tote bag, lifting them up to show me. “Mary was outwalking the pups so I couldn’t ask her if I could steal any food. In hindsight, I should have anyway and just blamed Tai.”
“Mary’s too good to be dragged into my mess,” I reply, taking the chocolate from her. “Just how old are these?”
Soph tilts her head in thought. “Maybe from last year. But hey—if they have gone bad, I’ve probably bought you another day off school. You’re welcome.”
“You’re joking and yet I’m still partly on board with the idea.”
She follows me into the living room, the two of us sitting on the sofa. We face each other, crossing our legs and dumping the food in the middle.
“So, Astor loves you, eh?” Soph grins. “Never thought I’d see the day, let alone with someone from Cedar Heights.”
I unwrap a chocolate egg and inspect it. “It’s a horror story. And I’m the stupid lead character who leaves doors unlocked with serial killers around,” I murmur, shoving the sweet into my mouth.
Soph leans her side against the back of the couch. “I suppose that explains Liv today.”
I stare at her expectedly, but she just smirks, refusing to elaborate.
“Don’t make me beg,” I growl at her. “Tell me the juicy details.”
“Well!” Soph dives in straight away with a grin, plopping her elbow into the couch and resting her head against the palm of her hand. “Jacqueline from my economics class heard her screaming at Sierra and Peyton in the bathroom. Then, cheer practice was canceled. Like, I don’t think you get how big of a deal that is. Livnevercancels. The only time it’s ever happened is when she had an emergency nail appointment after breaking one. But I stalked her to check. All nails were attached to her slimy body.”
I snort. “You’re making the assumption that Liv knows something. We were alone. As much as I’d love to take the credit for a Liv meltdown, I’m fairly certain she’s just having a tantrum.”
Soph cocks a knowing eyebrow. “Did I forget to mention that Jacqueline heard her say that Rylan is a fucking idiot andpussy drunk?”
“Pussy what—” I shake my head. “First off, ew. Second—that still wouldn’t make sense. Surely, I’d know if she knew something.”
“Well, has Rylan said anything?” She asks.
Grimacing, I shamefully look down. “I haven’t opened his messages. But if things were being said, I’d hear it from Arch.”
“Not if it’s still confined to Willowbrook mouths,” Soph says, raising a good point.
“This sounds like a tomorrow problem to investigate,” I mumble, shoving the pillow over my face. “It doesn’t exist today. I need a day to spiral.”
“Lucky for you, spiraling is my favorite hobby.”
It’s well and truly dark when Soph finally leaves, the leftover chocolate still sitting on my couch as a sympatheticsorry you’re stressed over something stupidpresent.
I tidy up a little before deciding it’s time to just give up, take a hot shower, and call it a night to avoid being alone with my mindany longer. But before I can venture too far down the hallway, a knock on the door freezes me.
Shiiiiiiiiit.
What do I do? What if it’s Rylan coming to demand answers? I don’t trust myself not to crack if he flashes his baby blues at me.
Best case scenario it’s Lannister in a mood. Sparring sounds like a fun idea to blow off steam.
I suppose I could always ignore it. Yep—that’s what I’m going to do. It’s late so I can always pretend I’m already asleep and didn’t hear the door.
