Burned

Chapter Nineteen

Friday so far had been the best day of the week. That was mostly because Daniel wasn't in class today. I woke up, knowing it would be a Daniel-free day and the rest just kind of fell into place. It also helped that last night I had gotten a goods nights rest for the first time all week. It was all thanks to Erik for taking me to the Steel Tower in Lynn Woods. It was so peaceful, after all the climbing, and the silence was tranquil. I had forgotten how serene it was just hanging out with Erik in silence.

Not to mention, it was Friday!

I was caught up on Homework and things were going good at home. Dolls was planning to spend the weekend with Ember, so the house was going to be pretty empty. Dara promised we would talk soon, but I already knew that wasn't going to happen this weekend, which was okay. I had a lot on my mind. As long as she was okay, I would let it go. Plus, she said Gemma wasn't a Witch, so she was probably okay.

"Are you ready?" Addie asked me as we packed up our things. I had stuck by my word and Addie and I were hanging out.

"Yup," I popped the "p." We stopped briefly at our lockers. I was at mine, waiting for Addie to finish. My locker was pretty bare: there was a photo of me and Addie and one of me and Daniel. I took it down, folding it then putting it in my bag. Guess I didn't need that anymore.

"I saw that," Erik smirked, walking towards me. My words were caught in my throat. "Jeeze, don't look so guilty I was only joking." He stood before me, laughing. I exhaled, trying to loosen up.

"Sorry, all day I've been worried that Daniel will show up." It was dumb because I knew he was out of town. I was still on edge.

"I can follow you home if you'd like," he offered sweetly.

"That's okay," I looked over my shoulder to see if Addie was ready yet. Someone from our Art class was talking to her and they were taking forever.

"No really I don't mind," he sounded so eager.

"I meant, it's okay because Addie and I are hanging out." That was what I said, but I wanted to ask him if Sage would mind. She couldn't be happy about us hanging out all the time.

"Oh," his voice deflated.

"You should come with. I don't actually know what we're doing, but you should come along." I wasn't asking him to hang out of pity, but because I enjoyed hanging out with Erik. He was one of my best friends. Plus, he was the only one that knew me and Daniel had broken up. It was comforting having him around.

"Are you sure?" He looked from me to Addie.

"Yeah! Of course, it'll be like old times." I winked, referring to his comment last night.

"What's like old times?" Addie asked. Erik and I both slightly jumped, forgetting she was there.

"Corn invited me to crash your date." Erik ratted me out. I scoffed and frowned at him, which he just responded with a smirk.

"Oh did she?" Addie pretended to be upset. She put her hand on one hip. "Well, it's a good thing I like both of ya." Addie joked back. The banter went back and forth as we walked to the parking lot.

"What's the plan?" Erik asked when we got to my car. The plan had been that Addie would drive with me to my house. From there, we hadn't planned anything. I was kind of glad Erik had come with us. It meant we were definitely going on an adventure.

"I have to stop at my house real quick," I wanted to change clothes and drop my things off. Erik and Addie nodded.

"What if I follow you there and then I can drive us all wherever we're going." Erik offered. We all agreed. Addie wanted to drive with me, so Erik followed behind us. We chatted about what we wanted to do. Addie wanted to go to the mall, but she always suggested that. Then, she said we could help her with headshots for her modeling or a photoshoot for her Cosplaying, but I knew Erik wouldn't want to do that.