AN: This will be the first chapter of the book if you did already read the preview on my other book. Hope you enjoy!
Flashback
Erica POV:
"As a sister," Ben's last words hit me like a train.
But before I had any time to think about it, the timer hit zero, and the bomb blew up. I blacked out.
I came to on a stretcher, being carried away in an ambulance to the hospital. I could tell I had taken a serious blow, but all I could think about were Ben's last words.
"As a sister,"
Present
I woke up and it was morning. I checked my stash of food. Shoot. It was empty. I slipped on one of my signature black suits and crept outside. I had almost gotten to the cafeteria when I heard a voice. Crap. This was going to be a bad day.
"-and I'm really worried about her," the voice of Zoe Zibbell echoed through the hallway.
"Zoe, just give her time," Mike Brezinski advised her, "she'll talk to you when she wants to."
I knew they couldn't spot me, but I still held my breath when the pair walked past my hiding spot. After that, it was smooth sailing. I headed back to my dorm, my arms full of food that would last me another week. As I set my stuff down, I let out a sigh. Zoe was right behind me.
"Erica," she said, her voice surprisingly kind, "I just want to talk."
I sat down on my bed, knowing I wasn't going to get away from this conversation. I tried to brace myself for the emotional wreck that was coming.
"I know you're sad about Ben," she lost a little bit of her thunder saying his name, "but you can't just cut yourself off from all other humans."
"I can Zoe," I glared at her, "and I have been for the past week."
"What would Ben do?" Zoe was so irritating when she was smart.
I faltered for a little, then said "He would do what you're doing."
"Exactly," She smiled, "We miss you."
"All of us do," Mike said, appearing at the doorway with Chip, Jawa, and pretty much everyone on campus.
Zoe put her hand on my shoulder and told me, "Erica, we're you're friends. All of us. So you can be honest with us."
I gulped.
"What did Ben say?"
