Burning Sea Green

17

The next morning, I woke up and took a one-hour jog, hoping that it would help clear up my mind and give me a better perception of what could be possibly happening between Lauren and Lucy. I was completely doing the opposite of what I said I didn't want to do—jumping into conclusions. And as much as I'm aware of that, I couldn't stop myself.

I preferred to have my phone off since last night, avoiding the possible confrontations Lauren might bring. I didn't know what I was going to say and I haven't made an accurate excuse yet although I have some terrible ones in mind. Once I got back home, I spent another hour exercising until I was found by Dad in the kitchen while I was getting myself some water. He was dressed for work and his face contorted to confusion with a mixture of shock when he saw me by the fridge.

"Hey," he said, slowly making his way towards me. "Where have you been last night? Everyone was looking for you."

"I was just tired," I said flatly, gulping down the water in the bottle that I just took.

"You didn't even bother saying goodbye to any of us or your friends. Dinah said that you just walked away and they let you since you look quite pissed," he said worriedly before taking a step closer to me and placing a hesitant hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said, sighing as I pulled away and threw the empty water bottle. "Why are you up early? Daniel's not even awake yet. You don't have any breakfast to eat."

He stared at me for a moment as if he was trying to figure me out, and when he realized he couldn't, he let go of me and faced the fridge. "I started waking up earlier than I should. Sometimes I get breakfast with Thalia in a coffeehouse near the hospital."

I smirked knowingly, backing away from him to the stairs. "The things we do for love, right, Dad?"

"Oh, shut up and don't act like you've never gone through this," he said as I was already by the doorway of the kitchen.

"That's the thing. I know the feeling and I know it very well to tell that you're feeling the same way I did."

I got up to my room and listened to Dad's car as he left, peering at my balcony to watch him. I grew confused though when I saw a familiar car pulling up to our street and as it drew closer, I figured whose car it was without a second glance. Lauren.

I ran downstairs as my heart was beating like it was going to tear my ribs apart, not understanding the way it works despite of the years I've spent with Lauren. I was sort of avoiding her but here I am, welcoming her excitedly to my house and wanting nothing but to have her presence all day. She parked the car on the spot where Dad's car had been and when she got out of it, I couldn't help the smile making its way up to my face. She had bags from McDonald's and padded to me just as eagerly as I was to see her.

"Good morning," she said, holding the bags up to me. "You disappeared last night and I guess you weren't feeling too well so, I brought you breakfast."

"Thanks," I said, taking the present gratefully. "Sorry for leaving early. I was tired from the flight."

That wasn't entirely a lie. I was tired from thinking too much but I was exhausted from flying from London all the way to Florida too.

Her eyes wandered up and down my body and cocked an eyebrow, meeting my awaiting gaze. "You could've asked me go and run with you. You know, so you wouldn't be too lonely."

I chuckled, stepping aside as an invitation for her to come in. "I was doing fine."

I followed her to the kitchen and sat the food down on the table, taking a seat across her as she took in our house.