SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 23: Vanishing people

As I made my way back to the table, my eyes couldn't help but scan the room, searching for the red-haired girl who had flipped my afternoon upside down in mere seconds. A few glances, and there she was—five tables away, chatting with a brunette. They whispered to each other, and I didn't need to hear a single word to know they were talking about me. Probably about Heather too. Then, just as I expected, they stole a glance in our direction but Heather couldn't see them since she had her back turned to them.

I sat down, but the thoughts of what had just happened clung to me, impossible to shake off. I wanted to talk to Heather—needed to—but I had no idea where to start. Instead, my gaze drifted to the table, where a slice of chocolate cake was waiting for me.

"They brought dessert, I hope you don't mind I've asked yours. I just couldn't resist, I know this will be your favorite from now on." Heather said, proud of her choice and waiting eagerly for my reaction.

I looked at her, my concern written all over my face.

"Oh-oh, this is not your chocolate cake face, what's wrong?"

It definitely wasn't my chocolate cake face. If anything, it was my hurricane of emotions piling up face—or maybe my about-to-spiral into overthinking face. Not sure, really. The confusion I felt was so overwhelming that I didn't even know what kind of face my brain had decided to show. But judging by the concern growing progressively on Heather's face, I'd bet it was worth worrying about.

"Hey... talk to me." She said. The excitement from earlier had slipped away.

"Why didn't you tell me you had a girlfriend?"

Boom. She froze. It was as if I had splashed a glass of cold water on her.

"I just met her apparently, she's right over there." I pointed in their direction.

Heather turned around sharply and caught the girl's eyes. She waved at us with a smile.

"Shit." Heather muttered.

"Yeah, shit, that's what I thought."

She exhaled and turned back to me "What did she tell you?"

"Does it matter? You should have told me."

"I know, I'm sorry."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Oh, so she is your girlfriend then."

"No, she is not. Not anymore."

"Really? Maybe you should tell her, she wasn't sure, since apparently you vanished."

Heather flinched. "So that is what she told you."

"Isn't it true?"

There was a silence. Heather lowered her gaze, and I could sense her struggle to face the situation, so strong in some ways, yet so weak in others.

The waitress approached us. Just in time.

"Excuse me, ladies, sorry to interrupt. We'll be closing in ten minutes." I glanced at him and nodded.

"We're leaving, thank you."

I thought that while we were flying back, Heather would bring up the topic again. But she didn't. We stayed silent the whole time—awkward, heavy silence—but I wasn't about to fill it. After all, she was the one who owed me an explanation, and it was her choice to clarify things.

We arrived at the Narval house and headed to Heather's room, but I stopped in the doorway.

"It's getting late. I'll go to my room. Goodnight." I turned to leave.