Dead Ends // Hugh Jackman

Chapter 6

Sunday and Monday speed by. I haven't heard from Avi at all even though I've texted her a few times. I'm not sure what's going on, but whatever it is, it's not something that can be easily fixed or dealt with. I don't know why I get the distinct impression that everything is fine even if Avi has yet to respond to me.

It's Tuesday now. I should see her at the volunteer session unless she's still preoccupied. The way it all happened on Saturday night makes me a little uneasy. I can't tell anyone else about it though. It's between Avi and I for the time being.

I head into the room, and to my relief, Avi is there sitting at the desk with Carlos. She has the widest smile on her face as Carlos laughs about something she said.

When her eyes land on me, her lips twitch. That uneasiness I feel churns like butter. Something's wrong, and because she acts like there isn't, it must be about my book.

My stomach sinks. Oh, no. She must hate the story. I know I'm not the best, but I don't think it was that terrible.

Avi stands, says ones last thing to Carlos, and then pulls me aside. She speaks to me in a whisper.

"Erin, I never got the book."

I jerk away slightly. "What?"

"I checked this morning, and I don't have it."

The first thing that goes through my mind is why she didn't tell me sooner. I furrow my brows in confusion because I sent it. I got the confirmation when I did.

I run a hand down my face. "No, you have to have it."

"Erin, I'm telling you I don't."

"But I sent it," I refute, letting out a heavy sigh. I don't understand what's going on.

Avi takes a moment to say the worst possible scenario. "Not to me you didn't."

My eyes snap up to meet hers. My heart is working overtime and my breaths come out short and shallow. I'm going to have a panic attack. I can feel it tighten in my chest.

"No, no, no, no, no." The word becomes a mantra as I try to get myself to calm down, but it doesn't work.

My thoughts think back to that night. Carlos didn't work, so he can't have it. Jerika usually works the same shifts as he does, so she doesn't either.

Who was there that night?

I close my eyes and try to envision Cafe Noir two nights ago.

It takes only a second for me to come to a horrifying conclusion.

That stranger.

I had only glimpsed at him, but now that I'm trying to recall who was there, he did have a laptop.

Or, maybe, I accidentally sent it to the barista.

Okay, I need to try and remember what the device's name was. The one I clicked on before I SkyDropped my book to it. What was it called?

Come on, think!

An 'H'. There was an 'H'. What else?

'J'? I think there was a 'J' too somewhere.

Shit, why can't I remember?

Maybe because I'm trying to keep myself from panicking.

"Erin, deep breaths."

I open my eyes and see Avi leaning over me with a hand on my shoulder. She's right. I know she is, but I can't seem to get my body to listen.

I'm trembling from where I stand, and if I don't sit down soon, I'm sure my knees are going to hit the floor when I lose my balance from lack of air intake. I'm already starting to feel light headed. My legs buckle from underneath me.