Page 126 of Burning Embers

I haven’t checked the damn thing since I first left the theater, and there’s already a plethora of unread messages from Emery, Ethan, and Grayson.

But it’s the newest message that captures my attention.

Unknown

This is Ansel.

Unknown

I hope you don’t mind that I got your number.

Unknown

I just wanted to check in.

A myriad of butterflies bursts to life in my chest. The mysterious texter from this morning…is Ansel.

How did he even get my number?

I shake off the wayward thought and quickly type back a reply.

Izzy

I’m okay. Thank you for checking in on me.

I pause, considering, and then shoot him one final text.

Izzy

Good night, Ansel.

Ansel

Good night.

Forty-Three

IZZY

Something startles me awake.

At first, I think it’s Grayson sneaking into my room yet again. My muscles lock together as I think about all of the ways I can make him suffer. Heknowsthat I’m ignoring him. My blatant disregard of all his texts should be indication enough.

But then I hear a whisper of fabric and the sound of the window opening. Cold air blows through the room, causing the tiny hairs on my arms to stand at attention.

What the…?

I twist slightly on the bed, and my confusion only grows when I spot Lissa’s blankets strewn across the floor and the girl in question nowhere to be seen.

Huh?

I sit up and turn towards the window just in time to see a flurry of pink.

Lissa.

Where is she going at—I grab my phone and flick it on—two in the morning? Is she meeting someone? A guy?

I know I’m the last person who should be talking, let alone judging, but I don’t like the idea of Lissa wandering aroundoutside by herself late at night. And I hate the idea of her meeting up with some random guy even more.