Into the Stars (USC Series Book #2)

chapter twenty-five

INTO THE STARS
———
BRINLEY

Something in the back of my head is bothering me. I am not sure if it is the fact our departure from this holiday is looming or if it is the fact Malachi has been acting strange ever since this morning. I am trying to convince myself it is the former, but in my mind; I know it is a mix of everything.

Hence, why I am out of the cabin right now with Holden.

The song "Run the World" by Beyonce blasts in my ears and I cannot focus on anything besides the sound of music in my ears. My feet pound on the ground to the beat of the song and I cannot think of anything. My mind is blank, as it usually goes whenever I am running.

I am running on autopilot and am just following Holden's every step. When I told everyone I was going on a run and heading home early, Holden offered to join me. I didn't decline because, truthfully; I enjoy his company and in the future, I can see us becoming quite good friends.

I can feel my body working to the full extreme, all my muscles working harder than usual. Today, for some unbeknownst reason, I am pushing myself more than usual. Maybe it is to keep up with Holden, who seems to run with ease, or because I just need some healthy way to exert all my pent-up emotions and worries.

The ski village is soon approaching. I register as much when I feel the ground underneath my feet change. I slow my pace, and so does Holden, until we reach a steady, brisk walk. When I notice Holden staring at me expectantly, I tug one earbud out of my ear and lower the volume in the other.

"Hot chocolate?" he asks, smiling at me like a young, eager child.

I chuckle, nodding my head.

There is nothing better than having a hot chocolate on a snowy day, in a cozy coffee shop while you watch the world go by in an animated blur.

After a few steps, we reach a coffee shop that looks like the kind you would see in books and movies. A warm fireplace lit with heated flames, comfortable sofa chairs surrounding each table, welcoming faces from the barista, the distinct scent of freshly ground coffee beans, and pine covering every wall.

Holden directs me to an empty table just a few feet away from the fireplace. I can feel the heat emitting from the flames on my entire body, loosening my frigid and tense muscles.

I huff out a breath of air once Holden has walked over to the ordering counter to place our order. My fingers toy with the end of my braid, swirling it around my finger anxiously.

Something is nagging in the back of my head. Something isn't right and I know, deep down, that there is something that needs to be done. That I need to do.

Whatever happened this morning almost caused me whiplash. One minute, Malachi is making jokes with me and the next, he shuts down, locks himself out, and cuts all contact with humanity for the remainder of the day.

It may have been something I did, but I doubt it. He got a phone call, and that is when everything went downhill. I want to do something because I consider Malachi a friend despite how complicated things are between us, but I don't know how to help. Or if he even wants me to help.

Holden returns to the table, two coffee cups and a paper bag in hand, and my thoughts come to a halt. "Muffin?" He opens the bag, displaying two chocolate chip muffins to me.

I nod, feeling slightly peckish now that I think about it.

He passes me the steaming hot chocolate and removes the muffin from the bag, giving that to me as well.

"Enjoying the trip so far?" Holden asks casually, blowing onto the steaming liquid before sipping on it.

"I am glad I came." I smile. Despite my qualms about this trip when Brooklynn first asked me, I am happy I accepted the offer. It was the best escape from my reality, even if it was for just a week.