The Hidden - Jessica Verday [22]
“Are you ready to go back?” he asked.
I shifted, and the chair made a squishy sound as the stuffing moved around. “I guess. I mean, I’m not exactly looking forward to it. Exams. Homework. Everyone trying to cram college stuff down my throat.” I shrugged.
“It’s the last first day of high school you’ll ever have.”
“In more ways than one.” I glanced over at him, but he scowled.
“I meant because of the fact that you’re a senior. Not because—”
“Because of the fact that I’ll be dead?”
“God, Abbey.” He pushed back his paper and stood up from the desk, looking upset. “Can’t we have just one conversation where that doesn’t come up?”
I looked down at my jeans. “I didn’t mean to—”
“I know you didn’t mean to. It just seems like that’s all you can talk about lately.”
“I’m sorry. I just want to be ready.”
“I need to go for a walk,” he said suddenly, moving to the door.
Panic shot through me. Why was he leaving? Should I tell him no, that I needed him to stay? Or would that make me look weak? I finally settled on, “How are you going to get out? You can’t just open the front door and leave that way. My parents are down there.”
Caspian stopped pacing and looked at the window. “Will you leave it open for me?” he asked, gesturing to it.
I nodded. And bit my lip, trying not to cry.
He went to open it, and hooked one leg outside. I turned back to my desk. Everyone needs their space. Don’t be a baby.
“Abbey,” Caspian said softly. So softly that I almost didn’t hear him. “Love.”
I turned my head.
“I’m not mad. I want you to know that, okay? I’ll come back in a little bit, I swear. I’m just going for a walk. That’s all.”
I couldn’t trust myself to speak, so I just nodded again, and then he left.
It was fine. No big deal.
When I woke to Mom’s voice calling up the stairs that it was time for me to get up, I noticed immediately that Caspian was back. He was sitting there on the bed, next to me.
I sat up quickly and tried not to act too relieved.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he said. “Sorry I didn’t make it back before you fell asleep.”
“That’s okay. I’m just so glad you came back.” The words spilled out of me, and I glanced down at the sheets, incredibly embarrassed that I’d just said that.
“I told you I would.”
“What took so long?”
“I ran into Uri at the cemetery. We decided to see if Vincent might be hiding out there.”
I got up and stretched my arms above my head, then went over to the bathroom. “No luck, huh?”
“None yet.”
Grabbing a towel, I turned to shut the door behind me. “Going to take a shower,” I said. “See you in twenty.”
“Let me know if you need me to do any back scrubbing,” he called through the door.
I just laughed. “You wish.”
Thirty minutes later, I was clean and dressed. “Are you sure this looks okay?” I asked, turning to Caspian. “I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard.”
I smoothed down the edges of my white shirt and readjusted the black vest I’d thrown over it. My four-leaf clover necklace was the last touch, and I re-knotted the ribbon at the back of my neck to make sure it stayed put.
“I’m not a fashion guy, but you look great to me.”
I smiled at him and slid my book bag onto my shoulder. Mom yelled for me to hurry, that we were leaving in five minutes, but suddenly I was loathe to leave Caspian behind. “Who needs school?” I said. “I can just stay here. With you.”
He pointed to the door. “Go. Have fun. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
I plodded slowly out of the room. He followed after me, and I turned back. Reaching out a hand, he cupped my face. Or as close to it as he could.
“I’ll miss you,” he said.
I nuzzled my cheek into the low buzz. “Me too.”
I picked up my necklace and kissed one side of the smooth, cold plated glass, then held it up to him. He kissed the same spot, letting it linger at his lips for a moment. When he returned it to me, I touched it gently.
I pulled away from him after one last call from Mom, then reluctantly