Exhale

Chapter 19: A Secret

Chocolate, Strawberry, or Vanilla?

9:30 pm

Emmy Squared

Zuri

This feels impossible.

No matter how fast or hard I run, life always finds a way to bind me, and the others around me.

I know what's happening to Marley isn't about me, but. The idea of losing her just seems impossible.

I never thought I'd find a friend like her. I can't imagine what it'd be like without her.

This is supposed to be our first year of school and adulthood. It's supposed to be fun and adventurous.

We're supposed to have our whole lives ahead of us. She should have it easier. She's been through so much.

I close my eyes, trying to quiet the storm that is my thoughts.

"Please God, let everything be calm," I say it again, over and over.

I hoped nothing else bad could happen to us.
"Alright, you kids, be safe."

The cab driver flashes me a smile. "Everything's gonna be alright, kid."
A smile crosses my face. "I hope so." I hand him a twenty, and his eyes light up.

"Dinners on me." I smile.
He nodded. "Perfect! I'm going straight to Joey's."

"A burger sounds nice, drive safe," I say, scouting towards the door.

"Thanks, and I'll try my best."
I hop out, and he drives away, waving goodbye.

Roman, who's holding the door for me, gives a reassuring smile. "He's right, you know."

"About what?" I asked.
"Everything's going to be alright."

He leads me to the counter, and we wait in line. While deciding what to get, Roman grabs my hand with a tight squeeze.

He nods his head to the side, and before I can blink, Vicky is in front of us.

"Awe look who's here."

I can't help but roll my eyes. Now is not the time.

I loop my arm through Roman's, and when the line moves, so do I, pulling him and brushing past her. Instead of taking the hint, she laughs and stands beside Roman. Looping her arm through his. I scowl at her.

It's been like this all week.

"What are you doing?" Roman looks down at her, trying to move his arm. But she holds her grip.

She grins, tilting her head. "How about we go out. I promise to turn that frown around."

I swear I just threw up in my mouth.
Roman scoffs, and an annoyed growl comes out.

He looks at her with a serious expression. "I'd rather be burned alive...in an oven." He snatches his arm away, and I can't help but giggle.

This is the fifth time she's asked him out. You'd think she'd take a hint, but "stop" isn't in her vocabulary.

She turns to face both of us. "When you get tired of the 'my dad's my abuser' story, come find me." She looks at me with a snarky expression.

"We all know it's bullshit, and soon he will too."

Roman glanced at me, confused. He lets go of my arm to wrap his around me, pulling me close. His face is filled with concern and curiosity. I bite my lip, looking down. She is so insufferable.

He lets out another frustrated groan and, as loud as he can, yells.

"Can you stop harassing me! I don't like you; there's nothing attractive about you in the slightest. So for the fifth time, I'm not interested, I'm clearly on a date."

My eyes go blank, along with everyone who's been watching us.

 
We're all looking at Vicky. Her face turned blood red as people began to point and whisper.

Roman rubs my back in an attempt to comfort me. He places kisses on my forehead, and when the line moves forward, so do we.

.

.

So that just happened.

Any Thoughts?

See you next week, boom boom booooom🚀