Chapter 20
The Early Hours After the Party
Holly
Alone in her room, the vision of Seb and Sloane kissing in the street played out on repeat in her head.
She’d been so stupid to think Seb could return her feelings.
Not if it had been Sloane he’d wanted all along.
Her phone, which had died early on in the evening, buzzed away as enough charge brought it back to life.
The voicemail icon appeared and Holly held the button until an automated voice told her she had one new message.
‘Hey, it’s Seb. I know you probably don’t want to speak to me, but I wanted you to know I’ve been offered a job in Leeds after Uni finishes.
So you won’t see me around much. If you need me, just let me know.
I’ve always got you, Holly, even if it doesn’t always feel like it.
After what happened with Sloane, I need some space too.
Sorry if I ever made you feel, well made you feel like I expected anything from you. I love being your friend.’
Holly pushed the no.3 button down until the message was deleted.
She was done listening to Seb’s voice. As she dropped her phone down onto her bedside table, his present caught her eye.
She had opened it last night to find a grey plastic cube inside a garish box with the words ‘Fortune Teller’ in neon lettering across the front.
She loved any fortune telling toy - always played with them if she spotted one in a shop.
Noticing the try me arrow pointing to the round rubber button that sat beneath the LCD screen, she closed her eyes and asked, ‘Is my friendship with Seb over?’
She released her finger and the screen came to life, as a tear ran down her face. Ask Another Day stared back at her in glowing green pixelated text.