Chapter 27
Chapter 27
“It’s valley business.” Cynthia’s words spun in my head. She’d wanted to take them back–but it was too late. I had no right to know. Because I didn’t belong here.
My throat tightened. This was just like Chicago.
I had a job. A place to live. Even people I could call friends. But in their eyes, I was secondary. No one prioritized me. Whether I stayed or left wouldn’t really affect their lives.
A hollow feeling spread through my chest. I hated this feeling. Hated
feeling sorry for myself.
I let out a heavy sigh, trying to clear my head–but it just brought all the bad feelings to the surface. I couldn’t remember a time when I wasn’t lonely. Couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt accepted,
loved, needed–was it when Grandma was alive? That long ago? Hot
tears stung my eyes.
Only now did I admit it: part of why I’d chosen a small town like Graytooth was because I wanted to escape loneliness.
I thought a small community–people who were closely connected–could help me. But seeing how close they were only made my loneliness more obvious. A tear slid down my cheek. Then another. Finally, I collapsed over the steering wheel, gasping in sobs, squeezing my eyes shut to hold back the tears.
Suddenly, someone pounded on my car window. I jerked upright–Declan.
He looked in through the window, frowning–like he’d caught me
doing something wrong.
Chapter 27
“What are you doing here?” he asked. His voice was muffled by the closed window.
I covered my face with my hands. “Please go away p>
“Did someone do something to you p>
“No p>
“Tessa,” he said skeptically.
“I told you I’m fine,” I said in a low growl. “No one did anything to me p>
“Then why are you p>
“Because I’m a mess! Okay p>
Declan didn’t say anything. Just looked at me with a steady, expressionless gaze. Finally, he stepped back from the truck. “Don’t
catch a chill p>
He left.
I leaned back in my seat, head tilted back, blinking until the tears dried. Then I sat in the truck for a while, letting the cold ease the
redness and swelling around my eyes and nose.
By the time I walked inside, dinner had already started. Natalia greeted me warmly. I forced a smile in return. Ate quickly. Didn’t talk. Went upstairs.
I knew locking myself away wasn’t good. But if I tried to connect with people who only saw me as a temporary guest, I’d end up crying again. So I locked myself in my room, pulled out an old book,
and climbed into bed.
Chapter 27
The next day at school, the atmosphere was a little awkward. Caitlin wasn’t there. No one mentioned her.
At the end of the day, as I watched the students from my last class pack up and leave, I decided to stay at school late. That way, I wouldn’t have to face the regulars at the Spruce dining room and pretend I didn’t see the invisible wall between us.
I had protein bars in my desk. I wouldn’t starve. And I could grade
papers.
Before I could sit down and start working, I noticed one student hadn’t left–Daniel Gray.
He was quiet. Serious. Never volunteered to speak in class.
“Hey, Daniel. How’s it going p>
“Um, do you have any more books like Unwind?” he asked, pointing
to the book we’d read last week.
The cloud in my chest suddenly lifted. I sat up straight, trying not to jump up in excitement–didn’t want to scare him off. Just smiled.
“Actually, Unwind has sequels,” I told him. “I don’t have copies–but you might be able to get them through interlibrary loan p>
The school library was small. The collection was disorganized. There was no staff. Borrowing was based on the honor system–there was a logbook to sign. I wasn’t sure if the library could connect to other systems. Or if interlibrary loan would work.
Daniel’s expression fell. “That won’t work p>
“Maybe. Let me check and get back to you.” I turned to the bookshelf. “In the meantime, you might like The Hunger Games p>
Chapter 27
“I already saw the movie p>
“Hmm… what about The Maze Runner p>
“I saw that movie too. Never mind. I gotta go. My uncle’s waiting-
“No, wait!” I pulled Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief off the
shelf. “What about this one?” It also had a movie–but most popular
YA books had movies now.
Daniel looked down at the cover. The desire for the book seemed to
fade.
Come on,” I coaxed. “If you don’t like it, no big deal. But I think you will. It’s good–the main character has to stop a war between the gods. There’s mystery. Deadly danger p>
I waved the book around, using a ghostly voice. “You know you want
to read me, Daniel. Pick me up. Turn my pages p>
Daniel looked a little embarrassed–but he snatched the book from
my hand.
I counted that as a victory.
A mocking snort came from the hallway. I looked up. Declan Kovak was leaning in the doorway, watching us, his expression thoughtful.
How long had he been standing there?
(8)
000
(0)
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.