Without You

22

My neck hurts.

Badly.

I sit up wincing and take in my surroundings. 

Where am I?

I look at the TV playing a random movie and then I hear light...snoring?

I sit up quickly once I realize I was lying down on Adam.

Wait.

Shit.

I stand up and start to head for the door.

What time is it?

"Amore?" Adam says. "Where you going?" I stop in my tracks and turn to look at him. "Oh, um sorry, it's just getting late and I uh, have to go." I feel my cheeks heat up and I look away even though it's dark and he can't even see me.

"Oh," he says sounding disappointed. "Well, um, goodnight I guess." I nod and stand there. "Goodnight." I start to walk away again when he rushes towards me.

"CanIhaveyournumber?" he says in one breath making me laugh a little.

"What did you say?"

"I said, can I have your number?"

My eyebrows go wide in surprise not expecting that and I look away from him. "Sure, why not." my heart starts beating fast for some reason when we exchange numbers and he flashes me another smile. 

"Get ready to be spammed by me." he says making me laugh.

"Not if I block you."

He doesn't respond and he just smiles. "I should get going."

"Yeah, I'll call you tomorrow." 

I go to my car and drive home. when I get there my mom is asleep in her bed so I go to my room and go to sleep.

I wake up to the soft glow of my phone, blinking with a message. I reach for it, my heart racing slightly when I see Adam's name.

Adam: Good morning Delilah :)

A small smile creeps across my face despite myself.  I type back a quick reply before dragging myself out of bed.

Me: It's Amore :(

The shower helps wake me up, and as I get dressed, I can't shake the giddy feeling from last night. But then I remember Azriel. My stomach twists at the thought. I push the feeling away, trying to convince myself it's nothing. He's just my best friend, after all.

When I get to school, the familiar hallways seem a little darker today. I spot Azriel leaning against the lockers, chatting with some friends. As I walk by, I can feel his gaze on me, and my heart races, not in a good way. I keep my head down, pretending to focus on my phone, but I can sense his presence behind me.

"Hey, Amore!" he calls, and I can't help but glance back. His smile is friendly, but there's an edge to it that sends a shiver down my spine.

"Hey," I reply, forcing a smile even though my stomach churns.

"Where were you last night? You didn't text me," he says.

"I was busy," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. The less I say, the better.

I walk away quickly, feeling his eyes still on me. 

As I round the corner, I run into Kiara, a girl from my biology class. 

"Hey, Amore! Want to walk to class together?" she asks, her bright eyes full of hope.

I hesitate, glancing back toward Azriel and his friends. "Um, sure," I say reluctantly, forcing a smile.