(Spin-off of Imaginary, more so specifically it's second book, Severity)
Cleo Vexer, a problematic teenage girl, is the sensation of your average pessimist and mediocre criminal. Still having to survive the rest of her senior year bitter and lonely...
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It's been three more days stringing onto the same lie, and honestly, I don't know how much longer this'll last.
I can't hide Riley away forever, and even if the outside circumstances didn't exist, I couldn't latch on to the secret for Caslon's sake. He's just breathing, eating, and sleeping. If it weren't for our overlapping classes, Caslon wouldn't be able to keep up with the load our teachers were setting on our shoulders. He's breaking.
I can't tell him myself, not until he finds out. I'm in too deep.
I knock on Winsley's front door. Three times in her specific beat, just so she knows it's me.
I just need to talk to someone before I lose my mind. I also haven't seen or talked of her since Sever's visit at my apartment. I wonder what's occupying her mind.
The door pops open, Mrs. Rile on the other side. She's sporting her before-noon scowl like always, lips in a straight line.
"Morning Miss Rile," I wave warmly. "Is Winsley home?"
"No," She says monotonously before slamming the door in my face. She does that often.
I sigh before spinning around and walking off to my car. School wasn't going to come to me, even with an unsuccessful detour. I call Sever before taking off so I can talk to someone for the ride. He doesn't get the option to not carpool with me, not today.
"You're really demanding you know that?" He says teasingly before tossing his bag at his feet.
"Oh I know," I chuckle lightly. "But how's Winsley doing?"
"Better, I guess." Sever purses his lips in thought. "Though she's still sort of paranoid."
"Paranoid?" My eyebrows thread together. I still keep my eyes on the road, but I'm dying to know what Sever means. "Of what exactly?"
"She won't tell me. Winsley's just been hesitant to answer any questions I throw her way; it's like she's hiding something." He replies sullenly, like he's saddened that she couldn't tell him. That she's obviously keeping secrets.
I sigh hopelessly to his dismay. Sometimes Sever expects more of me, but I don't know any more that he does. "I'm sorry, Sever."
"It's okay, Vexer." I glance quick enough to see a sad smile stained on his face. "I can handle it; she's my girlfriend after all. I'll do all in my power to fix this, even if it will disrupt our ongoing success of not starting arguments, like old times. It's what we do for love, right?"
"Yeah, for love." I whisper softly as we pull up to his art school. Before he can't get out, I manage to ask, "Hey, do you know where Winsley went this morning? I stopped by earlier and apparently she wasn't home."
"Oh," Sever says in realization. "I forgot; she said she was stopping by your place. I told her that you were watching your friend's little sister and she wanted to drop off some breakfast."
My eyes widen comically at his words. "Wait, what-''
"Bye, Vexer!" He yells out before shutting the door. I sit for a second, thinking if he cut me off purposefully or not. Either way, I'm worried.
I park my car when I arrive at school and calmly walk with a sigh. By the time I enter campus, Caslon's by the gate waiting. And when his eyes spot mine, they glare. My mouth runs dry.
Impossible. He couldn't know; he couldn't.
Caslon's gaze holds strong like if he takes his eyes off me I'll disappear. He's a good distance away. I gulp nervously, wishing I could just walk back and pretend we hadn't seen each other.
