if by chance | ✓

20 | low-key sorry

[ 20 ]

R H Y S

✦

I was at Starbucks on Piccadilly Square once again. Except that this time, our entire group, including Eugene, was present, occupying almost the entire café. The motive was to discuss about the camp that had ended so abruptly two weeks ago, without us having the chance to make the last night memorable. Of course it was, from the Eugene point of view but you know what I mean.

"Geez, I don't think this is a great idea." Juniper comments, taking a long sip from her steaming cup of soy milk latte.

"Oh come on don't be such a spoilsport" Noah groans in response. He was resting his arms on the table, yawning every once in a while.

The idea was to go on an unofficial camp this time, with no professors or anyone outside of our group involved. Obviously, Archer Morrison was an exception.

"I don't wanna go without Eugene" Riley sighs, her one arm dangling around Eugene's shoulder while the other petted her fluffy cat Meowington who rested lazily on her lap.

"Seriously Adams? This is why I never wanted to tell y'all in the first place. I don't wanna be treated like I'm some out of the world, needs special care kind of guy. Y'all should really go." He retorts, running his finger along the length of his short cropped hair.

The people at the hospital had given him a haircut. He looked scrawnier than before and the hollow of his eyes now more prominent than ever.

"What do you say Rhys?" Luna asks, shifting everyone's attention to me.

I wanted to go, for certain. But I would also like to agree with Riley about the whole Eugene thing. I didn't want to have fun while my best friend was there inside the hospital fighting for his life.

"You're thinking about me again? Dude, the operation's not until Tuesday next month. Y'all will be back before that." Eugene states.

"I know, just that...fine, I'm in."

"Great. And Riley, we won't take no for an answer. Same with you, June" Archer declares.

The younger Morrison sibling, meanwhile, was busy scrolling her phone in a corner, too distracted to join the conversation. Another person who looked a different kind of distracted was Nathaniel Amherst, who sat on the chair opposite to Amber, frequently stealing glances.

I wondered if it was what I was thinking.

"Anymore coffee orders?"

Coraline's voice startles me and I turn my head to see her leaning against the back of my chair. We hadn't talked, rather didn't get a chance to talk, since that day and it kind of felt awkward to even look her in the eyes. Maybe I was being extra touchy. But so was she.