Page 28 of The Sound Between Us

“Thanks for the tickets.”

I focus. Finally. Her lips are scarlet. She grins.

“You’re welcome.”

I can’t bring myself to be friendly. Smiling feels like lying. And I’m not in the mood.

“This was for you. In case we saw you.”

She hands me a folded piece of paper. My heart slams once, hard enough to echo; like Dex has stomped the bass straight into my chest.

I take it. Keep my face neutral.

It’s notebook paper. Torn. The edge is jagged, all curls and roughness.

Thanks. But I’d rather stick pins in my eyes.

I laugh. Can’t help it. It bursts out like air after drowning.

Because fuck me if Seren hasn’t just thrown down a gauntlet.

And for the first time in years, I actually want to win.