The Haze [The Rosati Series]

twelve

My eyes scanned the pages of the small red and gold book, desperately searching for my golden ticket. It was absolutely crazy how the book had literally fallen out of nowhere; the same book Nate claimed was so dark, powerful, elusive, and mysterious. I couldn't risk anyone seeing me with the book so I had shoved it inside my shirt, grabbed my things, and quickly left the library. I practically ran to my room once I'd made it home, and sat down to begin reading it without any distractions. No one had made it home yet.

I turned the page, still in search of any spells listed that could help, but the sound of the doorknob twisting open caused me to hurriedly shove the book underneath my covers and lie down as if I had been sleep.

My eyes fluttered shut as the sound of soft footsteps eased closer to me.

"Celine?" I instantly recognized the soft, yet deep voice as Derrick's.

I shifted into a sitting up position, slowly opening my eyes. "Derrick?"

His brow furrowed slightly. "Why are you sleeping? It's barely 6 o' clock."

I shrugged my shoulders, putting on the best groggy voice I could. "I had a long day. Is it okay with you if I get a little bit of rest every now and then?"

He scoffed as he began to sit down near my feet at the end of the bed. "I just wanted to make sure you're alright."

I sighed without saying anything.

"You know-" He started. "There doesn't have to be this tense vibe between us all the time."

I rolled my eyes, knowing where this conversation was headed "Derrick there isn't any tense vibes going o-"

"See there you go again." He interrupted, his voice rising slightly.

My tone began to match his with irritation as I sat up more. "There I go again with what?"

"That...bad attitude." He laughed, humorless, as he struggled to find the right words. "It seems like you've been icing me out since I found out you and Nate go now."

I cringed slightly at his words. "I don't have a -" I stopped myself mid-sentence. Just hearing the tone of my voice showed otherwise. I let out another tired sigh leaning my head back against the headboard.

"Celine listen-" His voice had softened and I felt his hand gently resting on my leg. "Whatever this is making us act this way towards each other, I want it to stop. We have a common goal, and the only way it'll work is if we're in this together. Deal?" He raised his hand into a fist bump waiting for my response.

I smiled weakly, giving him a fist bump. "Deal."

He smirked, patting me on the leg reassuringly, before getting up to leave.

I blew out a large breath of air hearing the door shut. That was a close one; a really close one. The last thing I needed was to be found out by Derrick or Amerie, and have to explain everything to them, endangering them even more with the lawless, and taboo things Nate and I were up to.

The sound of my hidden cellphone vibrating underneath my mattress caused me to hurriedly grab it and answer. I made a note to myself to find a new hiding place for it. If Derrick had stayed a minute longer, it could've easily been found, and frankly I was starting to lose track of all the lies I had already told.

"Nate?" I answered.

"Hey...you okay?" He asked slowly.

I frowned. "Y-Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"

There was a slight pause. "I don't know. You just sounded - stressed out."

I rested my hand wearily on my forehead. "Everybody wants to know if I'm okay." I mumbled to myself. "I'm fine okay."