“Can we stop talking about Jax, please?” Brinley leans against the door frame. “I’m in a relationship now.”
“And completely avoiding Jax because of it.” Tate leans back on her hands.
“Did you not hear the part about the door being broken because of Jax?” Brinley plops down next to Ember. “Doesn’t sound like something that would’ve happened if I was avoiding him.”
“You guys are ridiculous.” Maia chuckles.
“I will say I haven’t seen you running on campus with Jaxon in months.” I point out.
“In all fairness, I was only running with him because I had feelings for him. Once that ended, I wasn’t going to continue suffering on those morning runs.” She laughs, grabbing the bag of pretzels from Ember and eating one.
“So, you’re over him?” I push, and she shrugs.
“I don’t think you ever get over your first love,” she replies. “But Alex, he’s the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”
“And your happiness is all we care about.” Ember grabs Brinley’s hand. “That goes for all of you.”
“This conversation has made me realize there’s a lot to catch Avalon up on,” Brinley says. “If you’re gonna be one of the girls… we need to start from the beginning.”
I sit in the circle, the bathroom door still wide open, and learn all about the girls I now call my friends.
Something I thought I’d never have.
I’ve given him space, but Jaxon stopped me after class and told me how worried they were. I knew he hadn’t been leaving his room and drinking, but we all thought it would pass after a few days once he came to terms with everything.
But they’re all convinced that he won't go to her funeral if I don’t talk to him, but I know he won’t miss it.
His mom was his everything, and he won’t miss his last chance to say goodbye.
He loves her.
He’d never miss her funeral.
I know what it’s like to shut people out; it’s not what he needs. Even if he thinks he does.
“Hey,” I shove my hands in my jacket pockets as Declan opens the door, “he here?”
“Hey.” He moves out of the way to let me in. “He’s up in his room, but you already know that.”
“Do you think I could go up there and talk to him?”
“I don’t know if he’s up for talking.” He runs a hand through his hair. “But you could try. We’ve all tried,but—”
“If anyone can get through to him, it’s you,” Ember pushes herself off the couch. “Seeing you is exactly what he needs, even if he doesn’t think it is.”
“Thanks guys.” I smile before taking the stairs up to his room.
I tap on the door but don’t expect him to open it. I use it as a way to tell him I’m coming in.
“I’m not hungry.” His voice is faint, and I know when I open the door, I’ll see his head sunk into his pillow, muffling his voice.
I open the door, and sure enough, he’s buried in his bed. He’s facing the wall and doesn’t know it’s me until he finally snaps up. He’s angry. I don’t think I’ve seen him mad like this.
“I said—” His eyes meet mine, and his voice drifts off. “What are you doing here?” His voice softens, but it’s still rough. He’s not the Zeke I know, not right now.
“I wanted to check up on you.”
“People usually text for that,” he replies. “That’s what phones are for.”