𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 ᵗᵐʳ ᵃᵘ

Chapter 9: Eiffel Tower

WE made our way to the Eiffel Tower as the sun was setting. We bought our tickets to go in and walked to the top. I wandered off from the others and found my way to the top quicker than the others. I sat there, looking at the sunset. Yes, I was still thinking about the nightmare and the familiarity of the man in the biker helmet's laugh and voice. I just needed a little break. I don't want to worry anyone. We're on holiday and the last thing I want is for them to worry the whole time we're here.

I looked around at the people below. They were really tiny, kind of like ants. We were so high up that they looked like bugs. I don't know why I don't have a problem with heights but I do have one with aeroplanes. It could be the fact that if I'm high up in the sky without many people surrounding me it would be easier to jump or to have thoughts to myself.

"Anika?" Someone's voice snapped me out of my trans. I turned and saw Newt standing behind me.

"Hey, Newt, how can I help you?" I asked.

"I just wanted to know if you're okay and all. You've been acting off... " He started, "I heard about the incident this morning," He said.

"Oh... You did?"

"Yeah. I won't bother you if you don't want to talk about it. Can I sit next to you?" He asked. 

"Yeah, go ahead." 

"They look like ants, don't they?" He said, looking down at the people. 

"Yeah, yeah they do... Uhm, how do you know what happened? Did Hana or Minho tell you?" I asked, turning to face him. 

"No, I overheard Hana and Minho talking about it. I'm probably a dick for bringing it up. Sorry. I was just worried," He explained. 

"Don't be sorry. You just wanted to check up on me." I said. 

"Yeah, I guess so... You know a lot about love, right?" He asked, and I froze. My mind wandered to Gray for a second. 

"Why do you ask? You like someone?" I asked, nudging his shoulder. "Thomas, perhaps?" He nudged me back. 

"Maybe," He mumbled. "I don't think he likes me back though." 

"I think otherwise," I said. 

"Has he told you to your face that he likes me?" He asked. 

"Well- no, but I'm still convinced he likes you." 

"Oh... Well, I don't want to tell him unless I know he likes me, you know?" He explained. 

"Yeah, I guess so." 

"How do you plan on telling Minho?" He asked and I choked on air. 

"I'm sorry, what? Telling him what?" I asked. 

"That you like him." He said. 

"Newt, I don't have feelings for Minho. I would be the last person to like him." I said. 

"Right... sure..." He didn't sound too convinced. "It's obvious by the way. You guys didn't just start hating each other for no reason. It was to hide your feelings from each other. Obviously." 

"We don't like each other because I heard him tell Hana that I'm a bad influence. He wants me away from her." I explained. 

"Or, he called you a bad influence because he didn't want to be near you because of his feelings." 

"Not possible, Newt. I hate him, he hates me. The end." I said. "Nothing more, nothing less." 

"Mhm, sure." He said and I punched him in the shoulder. Not hard but not very light either. He did the same to me. "Hey!" He yelled, chuckling slightly. "Stop denying your feelings." 

"The only feeling I have is hate," I said. 

"But-" 

"Oi! They're over here!" I heard Thomas yell. We turned around and saw Thomas, standing a few feet behind us. Minho, Aris, Teresa, Sonya, Harriet, Brenda and Hana ran up behind Thomas. They were out of breath and a little sweaty. 

"Hey, guys. You okay?" I asked. 

"Where'd you guys go?" Aris asked. 

"Here," Newt said. 

"Why?" Thomas asked, his eyes trained on Newt. 

"Because," I said quickly, not wanting to explain any of the conversation we just had. 

"Why do you guys look panicked?" Newt asked. 

"Did you guys get any of our calls? First Anni disappeared then you went to look for her. It's been like half an hour since you went looking for her." Hana said. I looked at my phone, only to realize it's dead. 

"My phone's dead. That's why I didn't get your calls." I explained. 

"That doesn't explain why Newt didn't answer. We thought something serious happened to you guys." Hana said again. 

"Nothing did happen though." 

"Still," Thomas said. 

"Maybe we should stop wandering away from the group before they have another panic attack." Newt said. 

"Agreed," I said. I turned back to face the sunset. The sky was slowly getting darker and darker. I looked at some of the stars that were forming in the sky. It wasn't clear but you could still see some of them. 

Was it my fault? My mom's death? 

(A/N: Sorry that this chapter was shorter than some of the others.)