Insomniacs [l.r.h.]

SEVEN - ENVY

Never underestimate the power of jealousy and the power of envy to destroy.

Never underestimate that.

-Oliver Stone

SEVEN - ENVY

Ashton and I met up the next day after class.

"Hey, Natalie!" Ashton called.

I looked up. Ashton was walking over to my table. He sat down and slung his backpack off his shoulder.

I smiled at him. "Hey."

"Want to get something to eat before we start? School makes me ravenous," Ashton said.

"Sure!"

We walked into the diner.

My phone buzzed while we were waiting in line to order.

TEXT: Luke

You didn't tell me you had a boyfriend.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him.

Ashton raised an eyebrow. "Is everything okay?"

I smiled up at him. "Absolutely fine. What're you going to get?"

My phone buzzed.

I ignored it.

"Probably a sandwich or something. It's my first time here, so that's a safe bet. Any suggestions?"

My phone buzzed again.

"Sorry, one second," I muttered. I pulled out my phone.

TEXT: Luke

He's why you were smiling, huh?

TEXT: Luke

I'm sorry for last night.

I put my phone back in my pocket. "I usually get the macaroni," I said with a shrug. "But I heard that their club sandwhich is good." 

We ordered our food and then sat back down at our table. "AP Lit. Ugh. I did not want to take this my senior year of high school." 

I laughed. "That's why I'm taking it junior year."

He raised an eyebrow. "You're a junior?" 

I nodded. "Um, yeah." 

"Oh."

The awkward silence was broken by the waiter setting down our plates. "Enjoy," he said with a plastic smile. 

"Thanks," Ashton said. He glanced at me. "That's not a bad thing. It's just, you seem a lot older. More mature. A good thing, definitely." 

I smiled. "Thanks."

My phone buzzed. 

TEXT: Luke

What's so good about him? 

I frowned and texted back.

He's not you.

TEXT: Luke

Ouch.

I didn't answer. He deserved that one. 

I put my phone on silent. "Sorry, had to answer some messages." I smiled at Ashton. "So, The Scarlet Letter." 

Ashton pulled a face. "I've read it before. I don't like Hester much. Or Dimmesdale. Or Chillingworth. Or Pearl. Hell, I don't like any of them."

I laughed. "They're all pretty horrible," I agreed. 

Later that evening, I checked my phone.

17 unread messages

My eyes widened. What the hell?

TEXT: Luke

Hey, answer me. 

Why aren't you answering me?

I'm sorry for calling you vampire girl. I didn't realize it would offend you.

Can we talk?

Nat.

Can we just talk?

I'm... I screwed up. I'm sorry, okay?

Natalie please answer me.

I have no right to insult you, I'm just like you.

I was insulting myself, too, and trust me, I never do that.

Please, come on

I miss talking to you

Hello?

Stop looking happy with that guy.

How have you not noticed me? I'm sitting literally two tables away.

Why do you look so damn interested in the Scarlet Letter? It's not even that great of a book!

He's a dork. Stop talking to him.

I almost threw my phone across the room. 

I texted him.

Did it ever occur to you that you could just come up to me and talk to me?

TEXT: Luke

I didn't want to interrupt your date.

What a liar. 

So texting me every ten seconds wasn't interrupting my date?

TEXT: Luke

So it was a date?

He's impossible. 

It's late. Bye, Luke.

TEXT: Luke 

It's not even that late for normal people! Come on, Nat, I know you're mad, but please, don't just ignore me like this. 

I hadn't opened my blinds since last night. It felt... odd. 

I texted him.

My night is just starting. I'm done talking to you.

TEXT: Luke

No you aren't. I'll see you tomorrow.