𝘉𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘚𝘪𝘥𝘦 #1

11. Strangers

Finally // Beautiful Stranger – Halsey

I hadn't noticed Wade approaching me until he stood beside me and snapped a kitchen towel in my face. Luckily, it was clean and dry. I jumped slightly from surprise and glared at him.

"What was that?"

"Better you tell me what the hell you did," he demanded, crossing his arms. I raised an eyebrow, mirroring his gesture, as if we were competing to see who could be more intimidating. My mind rapidly processed the information, seeking a response to give him while his fiancée showered upstairs before we went shopping together. Plus, he'd leave for Greenland in two days. "Aren't you going to say anything? Don't play dumb."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I denied, serious, as Wade placed the towel on the nearby table and pulled out his phone. He searched for something until he showed me a Facebook post I'd made with a Halsey song.

I relaxed and chuckled, growing louder. Now I understood why he'd snapped the towel.

"You can't laugh, Sabanas. Do you find this amusing?"

"Yes, because I should've known you'd run to her with gossip," I said, still laughing, shaking my head.

"You're begging to get slapped," he muttered, setting his phone aside and leaning on the table with both hands. I laughed even harder, holding my stomach in pain from laughing so much, but he didn't speak again. Instead, he glared at me with a scowl until, after a few minutes, I finally composed myself.

Though, if I was honest, not entirely.

"I don't plan anything, I promise," I said, placing my hand on his arm and leaning in. Wade rolled his eyes.

"Don't you think it's a bit... premature?" he asked, leaning against the ceramic countertop and raising an eyebrow. "Or rather, stupid to do it now? Didn't you think about the consequences?" I winced, settling into my chair and fidgeting with my hands.

The weight of my decisions crashed onto my shoulders all at once, as if I hadn't considered them until he asked the question.

Less than an hour ago, I'd "declared" myself to Jack, despite vowing not to and to be more discreet. But as always, I ended up doing the opposite when it came to him.

"Look, in my defense, I didn't think it through..."

"Of course you didn't," Wade interrupted, and I gave him a serious look. He raised his hands, took a deep breath, and tried to calm down.

"But I didn't do it because I want something with him," I added. Wade raised an eyebrow, incredulous, and I chuckled, shaking my head. "I swear that's not my intention. I just want to be honest with people I trust, especially him. And believe me, the last thing I want is to push him away." I placed a hand on my chest, over my heart, because I was telling the truth about that. I knew how much it would hurt if he distanced himself, knowing there was a ninety-nine percent chance he would. But as I'd said, it would be the most painfully easy thing Jack could do to me.

"What if he does? Did you think about how you'd feel?" I shrugged, picking up my phone and scrolling aimlessly, using it as an excuse to avoid eye contact.

I cleared my throat, thinking for a moment.

"At least I won't die without telling him." I offered a timid smile when our eyes met, and Wade's expression relaxed as he shook his head.

"Now I really need you to keep me updated on everything when I leave, Sabanas. At least we know he didn't take it badly".

I laughed, shaking my head, recalling the conversation we'd had with Jack before I confessed. It hadn't been direct, but he was as curious as I could be, and I wouldn't blame him for asking something I'd initially said without thinking.