ASHER
Iâm sitting here, soaked in sweat, while my parents order breakfast for the three of us. Itâs like weâre royalty, feasting on a kingâs spread, and my parents canât seem to keep their hands off each other. Theyâve always been like this, and even though itâs nauseating to watch, I canât tear my eyes away.
How do they manage to keep that spark alive between them for so long? Is it true what they say about love being the key?
I shake my head, turning my attention to the rest of the restaurant. Love. Love is fucking pointless, a guaranteed way to get hurt after investing everything in one person.
I let my eyes wander across the room, trying to distract myself, but I nearly fall out of my chair when I see Fennick staring right back at me. Heâs sitting at the same table as the other day, and even though thereâs no way he could know Iâm here or see me, it feels like heâs peering through the crowd to find meâhis gaze searing my skin.
~What the hell is he doing here again?~
~Is he keeping tabs on me?~
~Have I become someone to watch?~
âAsher, are you okay?â My momâs voice breaks through my thoughts, her delicate hands gripping my wrist.
I blink, returning my focus to the table, and see her looking up at me with concern from the floor. Sheâs moved from her chair next to Zach to kneel at my feet. She quickly brushes off my reaction by saying I need to eatâjust as the servers arrive with our food.
My mom gives me a worried look but nods, standing to greet the servers like old friends before sitting back down across from me. I watch her settle into her chair, then my gaze drifts back to the spot that made me recoil.
But itâs empty now, and I wonder if Iâm losing it as I pile my plate with food I donât really want. But if I donât eat, my mom will insist Iâm sick.
I eat in silence, my parents doing the same, and surprisingly, I find myself enjoying the food despite my lack of appetite. Once our stomachs are full, the silence is too.
The conversation flows more easily now that Iâm less on edge, and we end up discussing a variety of topicsâthe upcoming family vacation to France this summer, whether Iâll be going or not.
I canât say no to my mom, even though I probably should. Who could resist her pleading face, begging me to spend quality time with her?
By the time our plates are clean and Iâve had my fill of food, weâve all reconnected. My mom pats my cheek as she stands at my dadâs request. The two of them rush off, leaving me alone at the table.
I watch them leave, exiting the restaurant, a small smile on my face at the familiarity of their affection. They head straight for my dadâs office, and I canât help but grin, shaking my head at the thought of what theyâre about to do.
We both know whatâs coming next.
I stand, heading for the elevator, pretending that the thought of my parents getting it on under the same roof doesnât bother me. But deep down, it still grosses me out, as it should.
The elevator ride is quick and uneventful, no unexpected encounters or public hallucinations. I find myself questioning whether Iâm seeing things, whether I really just had breakfast with my parents.
But I did. I can still smell my momâs perfume on me, a light, floral scent. So I scold myself for doubting my sanity during the short walk from the elevator to my apartment.
As soon as I step inside, Iâm reminded that Iâm currently living with three girls, which means their stuff is everywhere. I walk into what looks like a fashion show.
Eb and Addison are now wearing some of the clothes I had brought up, which must have been delivered while I was downstairs. I canât help but admit that Addison looks somewhat normal in the blouse and skin-tight jeans, while Eb has the look of those goth kids who always seem to find the darkest corner of any room to sit in.
The most frustrating part is that they havenât even noticed me standing here, watching them as they laugh and chat about their newfound freedom. Addison voices her belief that I wonât harm them, and I find myself both flattered and irritated by her assumption.
Sheâs too trusting, and while thatâs not necessarily a bad trait, in her current situation, itâs downright dangerous. Itâs just plain stupid.
She needs to be more cautious and less trusting. I can see that sheâs outgoing and confident, but thatâs not going to get her far in this life sheâs been handed, especially not under the oppressive rule of Sanctums and Fennick.
So, I make my presence known, strolling down the narrow hallway and into the entrance of my apartment. I clear my throat and nod in their direction, hoping to instill some sense of reality back into them before continuing my walk to my room and into my bathroom.
Iâm not sure how my sudden appearance has affected them, but I pray to God they understand that life isnât all sunshine and roses, and even here with me, they need to remember the darkness.
They need to let that darkness guide them, so they can better protect themselves when night falls. I understand theyâre young, and this must be hard for them.
But they shouldnât mistake my kindness for a reprieve from the horrors theyâve undoubtedly faced. It might do them some good to live in fear. That way, theyâll see danger coming.