Chapter 36

Three more days

I slide into the booth beside Madeline and let out a sigh. "Alright, fine," I say, raising my hands. "I'll show you guys."

Grayson turns, his brows knitting together. Does he ever smile? Probably only when he's alone with Rosie. "What are you talking about?"

Everyone's eyes are on me now, and I roll mine in response. "My tattoo," I clarify. "Since you're all so desperate to see it," I add with a shrug.

Chris chuckles, sitting beside me, but Grayson's frown deepens. "Literally no one here knows what you're talking about."

"You have a tattoo? Damn, that's hot," James says with a grin.

"You haven't even seen it," his boyfriend, Carter, points out.

James shrugs. "Tattoos are hot."

Carter, who has zero tattoos, narrows his eyes. "You think so?"

James's eyes widen, realizing his mistake, and he shakes his head vigorously. "No, of course not. Ew, I hate tattoos," he says, trying to sound convincing but failing miserably, and I can't help but laugh.

"You got a tattoo?" Madi asks, her eyes wide with surprise.

"Matching ones," I say with a grin, glancing at Chris.

Chris shrugs, running a hand through his hair. "She asked."

"Of course," Aiden says with a laugh, shaking his head. "I doubt there's anything you wouldn't do if she asked."

I nod, resting my head on my boyfriend's shoulder. "He even said he'd lie on a train track for me."

"That's not surprising," Aiden says with a smirk.

"What's the tattoo?" Rosie asks.

I lift my sleeve, and Chris does the same, revealing our new ink. As they look down, I notice their smiles falter, their brows furrowing as they see the faded scars, piecing it all together.

I can see why it would be surprising, since I never even told the girls before. I didn't want them to know there was a time when I was broken. The only person who knew what happened was Chris. Until now.

"I wanted a new memory," I explain, seeing the sadness in their eyes, but I keep smiling. "Get rid of the bad, and cover it up with a memory that means something."

"It's beautiful," Grayson says, his brows knitting together.

"Yeah." Madi swallows hard, staring at my arm. "What made you want to get a tattoo?"

I shrug, pulling down my sleeve as I look up at Chris. "I wanted to feel connected to Chris," I explain to them.

Aiden lets out a soft laugh, shaking his head. "I don't think you needed a tattoo to do that."

Chris wraps his arm around my shoulder, pulling me to his side. "I told her the exact same thing."

Turning to Madi, I continue, "But I also wanted to settle something between us." Her eyebrows furrow. "Remember the bet we made two years ago?"

Her brow arches. "Vividly," she says, flicking her dark red hair behind her shoulder.

We made a bet that whoever fell in love first had to do a forfeit. Hers was dying her hair red, and mine was getting a tattoo.

I chuckle. "Well, I didn't think it was fair that you dyed your hair since I'd always been in love with Chris," I tell her with a shrug.

Her mouth gapes open. "So, you're telling me I dyed my hair for nothing?"

I chuckle. "Well…" My lips twitch. "Not for nothing. It was entertaining for sure."

"Glad to be of service," she says dryly. "Can I dye it back now?"

"Sure."

Her boyfriend, Lucas lets out a groan and plants a kiss on the top of her head. "I'm gonna miss the red."

Madi smiles up at him, and I can't help but smile too. I remember when she was adamant about avoiding love because of her shitty ex-boyfriend. And when Lucas came into her life, she didn't even entertain the idea. But I'm so happy they're together. I'm so happy that they get to stay together.

In the same city.

The same country.

I glance at Chris, my smile fading. We only have three days left.

Three days until he has to leave.

Three days until I have to say goodbye.

His eyes meet mine, and he smiles, cupping my face in his hands. "I'm so proud of you," he says. "I know it must have been hard to show them the scars."

My heart swells with love for him, and I lean into his palm. "I can do anything when you're with me."

His eyes soften, but a hint of concern creeps in, his smile fading into a frown. He won't be with me, though. Not for a whole year.

"Gabi—"

"Aiden Pierce."

Our heads turn as two girls approach our booth, their eyes fixed on Aiden, who has his arm around his girlfriend, Leila.

"I heard you're joining the Chicago Bulls," the blonde says, twirling her hair.

Leila lets out a sigh, turning her head away.

Aiden presses his lips together in a tight smile. "Yeah, I am."

Aiden was a big deal when he attended Redfield, but now that he's been drafted into the NBA and is headed to a professional team, he's going to be even bigger.

"I love Chicago," the brunette beside her friend says. "And basketball. I could come visit you sometime," she suggests, leaning on the booth.

Aiden's smile fades slightly, and he arches a brow, tightening his hold on Leila. "I'm good. My girlfriend will come visit me."

Leila turns her attention to the girls and gives them a fake smile, narrowing her eyes as she waves at them.

The girls frown and then turn around, heading toward the table where the football team is hanging out.

Leila narrows her eyes at Aiden. "This is what it's going to be like, isn't it?"

Aiden's brows furrow. "What do you mean?"

Leila sighs, rolling her eyes. "Girls flirting with you all the time," she says, her voice tinged with hurt. "And it's only going to get worse once you're gone. You won't be here anymore."

Aiden arches a brow. "Well… no, since I graduated."

Leila swallows, looking up at him. "I know. You're leaving me."

Aiden's face falls into a frown, and he gently cups Leila's face in his hands. "I'm leaving Redfield," he assures her. "I'm not leaving you . I'll never leave you."

"It's the same thing," she replies with a shrug. "Girls will be flirting with you all the damn time, and it's going to be ten times worse than it is here."

Aiden shakes his head, brushing her brown hair out of her face. "How many times do I have to tell you that I only want you?" he says. "Doesn't matter who flirts with me. My only thought is, ‘my girlfriend is so much hotter'."

Leila rolls her eyes. "Don't patronize me. I just wish you'd call them out and tell them to get lost," she admits, swallowing hard.

Aiden purses his lips thoughtfully. "Do you want me to wear your face on a t-shirt?" he asks with a hint of humor. "Because I will if that's what it takes. I'll do anything to earn your trust."

She sighs, shaking her head. "I do trust you," she says. "It's just… hard."

"I know," Aiden murmurs, pressing his lips to her forehead. "But it's only one year, and then you'll come with me."

Leila raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk on her face. "How are you so certain I'll want to come with you?" she teases.

Aiden smirks back, knowing full well his girlfriend loves to tease him. "Because I need you to survive, gorgeous," he says with a smile. "My heart beats for you. Are you going to stop my heart?"

Leila lets out a sigh, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I guess not."

Aiden leans in and presses his lips against hers.

Chris grazes my chin with his hand, turning my head to smile down at me. "How are you feeling after that love confession?" he says teasingly. "Any nausea?"

My stomach churns, but not because of Leila and Aiden. It used to bother me seeing all my friends in love when I thought my feelings were unrequited, but not anymore.

I love seeing them happy.

They deserve it.

But the churning in my stomach is the realization that I'm going to be alone all over again.

Aiden will only be an hour flight away in Chicago, and will come to visit Leila often. Grayson will be nearby, working at the garage until Rosie graduates, and Lucas will still be here at Redfield.

But Chris...

I swallow down my emotions. "I need a drink."

Chris frowns, searching my eyes. "Are you okay?" he asks warily, knowing our history with using alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. It's been a while since we've leaned on those crutches.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assure him. "I just need a drink."

His frown deepens, but he stands up and lets me pass. My body feels hot, my face feels puffy, but I squeeze my fists, determined not to cry.

I reach the bar and flag down the bartender, ordering a vodka.

Chris appears by my side, lifting my face to meet his eyes. "Gabi, I know you," he says, his eyes searching mine.

I close my eyes briefly. He knows me better than anyone. Always has. Of course, he'd know when I'm on the verge of a meltdown.

"I know you do," I admit with a sigh.

He furrows his brow. "Which means I know when something's wrong."

I shake my head, tears threatening to spill over. "There's nothing wrong," I lie. "I just want to go home."

His frown deepens. "You want to go home?" he repeats. "Now?"

I nod, stepping away from the bar.

I don't want a drink.

I don't want to numb myself.

I just want to be with him.

"We only have three more days until you have to leave," I tell him, swallowing hard against the lump in my throat. "I just want to be with you until then."

His eyes soften, and he nods slowly. "Okay," he says, taking my hand in his. "Let's go home."