The Secret Between Us (Unedited)

20: An Unfavorable Attribute

Holding On - Tourist (feat. Josef Salvat & Niia)

     It was nearing 9:00 PM when Kat and I had gotten back from our midweek shopping spree. $3,756 dollars later, we shoved everything into a taxi and went back to the hotel.

I had spent the most money with a total of $2,285, yet it didn't burn a hole in my pocket whatsoever.

Kat was surprised with the amount of shopping I did, seeing as I usually don't shop at all. Little does she know, I did it to get my mind off of everything that had happened with her prick of a boyfriend.

We didn't talk much on the way, both of our eyes locked on our phones.

About a minute away from the hotel, Kat looks up at me, shifting the dozens of bags in her lap that wouldn't fit in the trunk.

"Hey, I texted Pres and he's gonna come down to help us carry our bags."

My heart nearly stopped right then and there.

Here I was, doing all of this useless shopping to distract myself from him, and now I would just end up having to face him sooner than I had hoped.

Shopping was a bust.

"Uh, Nic can just help us out. I'm sure Torez doesn't want to pretend to be a gentleman right now." I kept my voice steady, my gaze bouncing all around to avoid Kat's stare that seemed to be burning holes into my head.

"No, it's fine. Plus, Nic's not there right now."

Before I could ask any questions, she handed the driver a twenty and pushed herself out of the car.

Well, hell.

I didn't realize we had stopped until someone pulled my door open.

I exhaled slowly when I noticed it was Katrina. Thank god.

She signaled for me to get out, her arms full of a ridiculous amount of shopping bags.

And to think I had double the amount.

I give myself another second, squeezing my eyes shut tightly.

When I stepped onto the streets of New York, a layer of goosebumps started forming on my legs due to the chill in the weather.

There were hushed voices coming from the back of the car, but I couldn't see due to the open trunk blocking my view.

With cautious steps, my best friend and my least favorite person in the world came into view.

It was crazy how they were in a relationship. Together.

Katrina has told me numerous times that she wasn't into the 'reckless' boys. But here we were.

When my eyes landed on the dark haired boy, I felt more goosebumps appear on my arms and legs.

I brushed it off, telling myself it was the weather.

He picked up another bag from the trunk, a small frown on his lips.

He must have felt my intense stare because he glanced up at me.

Surprise was etched on my face when he breaks our gaze that lasted not even a second.

I didn't know what it was, but his actions made me uneasy.

He didn't frown at me. Or smile.

The weight of the shopping bags that started indenting my skin made me come back to reality.

Baby steps, Ada. Baby steps.

I scurried into the building, much to my inner thoughts telling me to take it slow.