Page 92 of Mistaken Prejudice

“Then you’re getting mad because I tried to cheer you up? What the actual fuck Andrei?” he shouted. Actually shouted, and it was the first time I’d seen him so mad. How did we even get to this situation? His mood swung so fast, like a fucking roller coaster, it was almost as if he was—

“Are you high on something?” I asked.

“What?” His eyes went wide before his whole face screwed up. “Okay, wow.” He rested his hands in front of him like he was asking for space. “You know what, maybe it’s better if you just go home.” He turned from me and walked to where I had put my bag when I came in.

“Go home?” I choked, my eyes following him. “I just got here.”

“Yeah.” He grabbed my duffel bag from the floor and threw it my way. I caught it. “And I said I’d rather you go.”

“Miles,” I tried speaking, but he crossed his arms and turned the other way, refusing to look at me. “Okay.” I sighed, confused by what just went on. “I’m gonna go, all right?” I waited for a reply that didn’t come before I allowed myself out. Way to go, Andrei. Making everyone around you pissed off.

Chapter 27

Andrei

“Hey,” a soft voice whispered, and I turned in my bed to find Jessie standing by the door, dressed in his sleeping sweats.

“Hey.” My voice came low and raspy. He didn’t wake me up, but I dozed in my bed after returning from Miles’s house. “What’s going on, Jess?”

“Can I sleep with you tonight?” His silver hair stood up in all directions, his nose red and his eyes swollen, making me think he’d just cried.

“Yeah, of course.” I moved my blanket and made room for him. He immediately took it, shoving his head in my chest.

“What happened?” I asked worriedly.

“Nothing, really…” He chuckled. “But… but Levi wanted some space.” His chuckle turned into a weak sob, and I wrapped my arms around him, pressing him closer to me.

“I’m sorry, Jess,” I mumbled quietly while pressing my lips to his soft hair. “Do you want to talk about it?”

He shook his head, and it was my sign to hold him tighter.

It was the first time since they got here that Jess didn’t sleep with Levi. And I meant it. One time Levi was sick with Mono and had to stay alone in their room. Even that didn’t keep Jess away; he snuck into Levi’s bed without us knowing. We found out because we all got Mono the following week, and he felt guilty and came clean. He was so innocent it was impossible to be mad at him.

So what happened that made him come here tonight? I’d noticed things had been a bit tense between them since Halloween, but I didn’t say anything. Maybe I should have.

“I thought you were staying at Miles’s tonight.”

“Well… he wanted some space.” I sighed as I used my finger to draw circles on his back. It always relaxed him.

“He did?” He peeked at me from under the blanket.

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry.” His words were like a hug to my soul.

“Thank you, Jessie.”

“You’re welcome.” He once again snuggled against me.

“Love sucks,” he mumbled after another moment, and it made me chuckle.

“Yeah, I’m starting to learn that myself.”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled sleepily.

I knew it was probably better to keep quiet and let him sleep, but I couldn’t help but ask.

“Do you like the new school?”