oxygen (e.d.)

chapter twenty-two

•sloane•

"i talked to ethan about it," wyatt sighs, "they're still going strong."

"all that blue dye for nothing?" i shake my head, "man."

"guys, i still think we should leave them alone." riley objects.

"i think you should leave it up to the experts," i say back.

she rolls her eyes and picks at her nails.

"something isn't... even between them," wyatt grimaces.

"what do you mean?"

"he clearly likes her. a lot. but she makes her feelings seem robotic, almost like an act."

"what if she's trying to get something from him?" i ask, snapping my fingers.

"like what?" wyatt asks.

"sex. money. street creds." riley scoffs.

sometimes i wish ethan had a brain.

"maybe," wyatt sighs, conflicted, "but i just have a funny feeling about all this."

we're all quiet in a unanimous agreement.

"anywayyy..." i draw out, wanting to change the subject, "riley, your birthday is in a week. what's the plan?"

"a rager?" wyatt grins, "i'm in."

i nod in agreement, but riley shakes her head.

"nope. none of that. maybe us three will go out to eat at olive garden or something, but no party."

"not even on the beach?"

she shakes her head, but wyatt says, "it was always your wish to have a birthday party on the beach."

"when we were kids, wy."

"riley, you're still a kid."

"am not," she argues. she always seems to get defensive when someone says she's not an adult, "i'm 19." she says.

"18," wyatt corrects.

"whatever. the point is- i don't want either of you going all out for my birthday."

"please," i beg, leaning forward and placing my elbows on my knees.

"no."

as riley turns around in her desk chair, wyatt and i lock eyes for a brief second. he winks and i know the plan is on.