HIS STUNNING 18+ (discontinued)

EIGHTEEN

18. my biggest ship

•••

EDEN ABRELL

A MONTH AND A HALF LATER

"When's this whole divorce thing gonna be over?" Gracie groaned, rolling around on the floor.

I raised my brow, "You seem more anxious than I am."

"Well duh," She made a 'duh' face. "You and my dad are my biggest ship right now—God, that's weird to say out loud—and it's slightly annoying that I'm the only person who knows."

I rolled my eyes, "Well, it's not exactly like we can scream to the world that we're together when his divorce isn't finalised yet."

She smiled, nodding her head, "I understand why no one else knows yet. I just feel like I'm third-wheeling every time I'm around you and my dad now."

"I'm sorry," I frowned. "I never meant to make you feel like that."

"Eh," She shrugged it off with the wave of her hand. "I don't mind that much. Means he's off my back as much. So, really, you're doing me a favour."

I threw a pillow at her and we chuckled. I sighed, dropping myself onto her bed. I felt exhausted and disgusting. I've had the worst headache the past couple of days.

"School starts back in a couple of weeks," Gracie spoke up and I turned my head to her.

I laughed softly, "I can't wait. I love my course. I love what I do. I can't wait to start a career out of it."

"I'm so happy for you," She smiled as she looked over at me. "You've finally found what you wanted to do after all those years of not knowing in high school."

"Thank you, Gracie," It was all I could say. I was so grateful to have her in my life. Especially now, considering the complicated situation we're in. "And you too, miss marketing." I teased cheekily. "You are going to spend your life running your business and making heaps of money in the process. I better get discount deals." I giggled.

"Why, yes, of course," My best friend continued before going on genuinely. "I love how everything works and the way, when done right, you create something extraordinary. It's like a gift." She smiled happily. "I am so happy this is my course. I feel that this is what I'm meant to do."

I shook my head, suddenly feeling light-headed and tapped my forehead subtly before running my hand through my hair. I didn't want her to worry in case it was nothing.

"And you, you want to own a corner bookstore cafe slash restaurant," Gracie smiled, gleamingly. "To be honest, I'm so glad we major and minor in the same courses despite the different routes we want to take for our careers."

I grinned excitedly and squealed, "I know. I can't wait." I laughed softly. "I feel good about this decision. It's something that I will be proud of from all the hard work I'll put in once I graduate."

Gracie and I smiled. I blinked, wincing softly as I breathed, slight nausea hitting me. I took deep breaths to calm myself and to try to keep my nausea at bay.

What's wrong with me?

"Do you want to go outside? Do something? You seem a little pale." She asked me and I nodded, smiling gratefully.

Perfect timing.

I stood up after my best friend and stood still for a moment, the room around me getting a little dizzy. Shaking my head, I walked after her. I cleared my throat and swallowed. I groaned weakly, feeling sick again. My skin felt clammy and it felt like I was burning up.

"You okay?" My best friend turned around and asked me as we entered the living room. She creased her brows and looked at me worriedly. I could feel Huxley's eyes on me from the second I walked into the room and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him stand up, his body tense.

I sighed a laugh and raised my eyebrows quickly before squeezing my eyes shut and shaking my head as I ignored the queasiness in my stomach and whispered out lamely, "Yeah. I'm fine."

"Eden," Huxley's voice came out agitated and worried as he stepped closer until he was right beside me. "Huh?" I mumbled wearily just as everything around me turned black.

•••

This one's a bit short but I didn't like some parts that were there before so I got rid of them.