Chapter 17

MILA

"I promise, I'm good,"Willow says. "I feel much better. Just tired."

"Positive?"

"Go do your thing. Honestly."

The door swings open and Ward walks into the dorm.

"Holy crap, you look really rough, Willow," he says.

"She feels better," I snap.

"This is her feeling better?" Ward asks.

"You know, Ward, you're an asshole."

"I know," he says. "Just some love from your brother, that's all. Come here. I'm not afraid of you and your sickness or ugliness."

Ward wraps an arm around Willow and he pulls her close.

He starts to cough… right on her.

She punches him in the stomach and he stumbles back, laughing.

Poor Willow's face is bright red and she starts to cough for real.

"Really, Ward?" I ask.

"Oh, calm down, Mila. It's a joke. Just me being an annoying big brother. That's my job."

"Just go," Willow says, waving her hand. "You two. Go. I'm fine here. Go enjoy your night."

"You heard her," Ward says. "We need to make a run for it."

He grabs my hand and pulls.

I look back at Willow and she's still waving at me to leave.

I think I kind of liked having her as an excuse…

Well, not tonight.

Tonight, we have plans.

"I don't want to catch what she has," Ward says. "But you've been there for how long?"

"That was a jerk thing you did back there."

"With Willow? Oh, come on. It was all a joke. She knows I care. You don't have a sibling. You don't get it."

It's not worth the argument.

"Hey. We have plans tonight," I say.

"Yes we do. Caramel Dan has a thing going on. He's got a two story condo."

"Who?"

"Caramel Dan… dude I know from high school. He's got his own place, Mila. Off campus. Like a real place to go and party."

"Ward, hold up. I have something for us to do. Something fun."

"What are you thinking?"

We're outside now.

It's getting dark.

It's a little chilly.

I shiver.

I think about a big, strong arm wrapping around me to keep me warm.

"We're going to the movies," I say.

Ward stops walking. "What?"

"The movies. To see something spooky."

I widen my eyes and crawl my fingers up Ward's chest.

He backs up and groans. "Mila…"

"Come on. It's an indie movie."

"Indie?"

"It's from here. The guy that made it. He goes to Puckford."

"Oh, Mila, you know the movie is going to be horrible then, right? It sounds awful."

"What I want to do sounds awful to you?" I ask.

"Don't twist this around. I'm saying the movie is going to be awful. It's not like a real movie, you know?"

"So we can't go and support someone?"

"Did you buy tickets?"

"Yeah," I say.

Ward smiles. "There. You supported him already. You bought tickets. I call it a win-win then. I've got to get us a ride to Caramel Dan's place."

"Ward. No."

"Excuse me?"

"I said… no," I say. "I want to go to the movies. I want to see this movie. It's a scary movie."

"Mila, I don't care. Sorry. But… seriously."

"Seriously? You can't do one thing I want to do."

"Name anything else in the world, Mila. And I'm there. I swear on my life. But an indie movie produced by someone from Puckford? That's just… no way."

"So you're going to go to this party alone? And leave me alone?"

"Who said I was going to do that?"

"I'm not going to some Chocolate Pete guy's house," I say.

"It's Caramel Dan," Ward says. "And you don't need to be so defiant, Mila."

"Oh well," I say. I cross my arms. "I'm going to the movies."

"You know what? Go. Fine. Whatever." Ward holds up his phone and smirks. His thumb touches the screen. "There. I've got a ride. So I guess I'll talk to you later. Maybe you'll calm down after your movie."

"Your sister was right. You are an asshole."

"I'm the worst because I don't want to see a crappy movie? Whatever, Mila."

Ward shakes his head and turns his back to me.

A second later he's texting and walking.

I'm in a little bit of shock…

I can't actually believe he's going to walk away from me.

Just leave me standing there alone.

That he's really…

A few seconds later, he's out of sight.

Now I'm livid.

I hug myself and walk all the way across campus to the theatre.

I ordered two tickets and I'm only using one.

Because my boyfriend would rather go to some party than spend time with his girlfriend.

I show my phone at the ticket booth.

"Only one is here," I say.

"That's fine. I can take the other person's name and-"

"Just one," I say. "That's it. Okay? Just me. I'm alone."

The girl behind the ticket booth steps back and forces a smile.

I walk up to two big, red doors and pull one open.

The smell of popcorn hits me.

The school has a great theatre. It kind of has an old-fashioned feel to it.

I wait in line at the concession stand and get a popcorn and a soda.

When I walk into the theatre, it hits me for real that I'm alone. And for some reason I feel like I have a blinking red light shining on me. Like everyone needs to know that I'm there alone.

I catch myself frozen in place.

I'm pissed at Ward. Like really pissed.

I want to see this movie but I don't want to see it alone.

And he just…

Behind me I hear someone clear their throat.

That's the final straw for me.

I almost feel bad for the jerk behind me.

He's about to get popcorn and soda thrown in his face.

"You know what?" I say. "I've had a shitty day…"

I turn around. I have plenty more to say.

Only nothing else comes out.

"You're holding everyone up, honey…"

Of course it's Jax standing there, smirking at me.