Page 23 of Death

“Fine by me,” I say. “Don’t feel like talking much at all right now, anyway.”

I continue up the stairs, ignoring their brief calls to stop me as a few more tears spill over on my way to my bedroom. I lock my door and fall to my bed, quickly burying my face in my pillow. Maybe I’ll suffocate and not have to go on this date at all. If I tried, would Ari intervene to save my life again?

Of course, he would.

He “cares” about me.

I flop over onto my back and roll my eyes.

It doesn’t matter how many times he saves me or how many dates we go on or how many kisses he steals from me.

I’ll never be okay with this.

I’ll never be the queen of the dead.